Councillors at Havant Borough Council have made a commitment to challenge the normalisation of abuse against councillors and uphold exemplary standards of public and political debate at their meetings.
Working together on a cross-party basis, Councillors have agreed to work together to set an example of healthy debate and denounce abusive or threatening behaviour from anyone within the community on social media and in-person.
The council also pledged to support the LGA's Debate Not Hate campaign to remind everyone that while democracy thrives on good, frank discussions, these should never turn into personal abuse.
Taking a zero-tolerance approach to any form of language or action that risks compromising the safety and wellbeing of elected members and staff, the council noted the final report of the Jo Cox Civility Commission and committed to challenge the normalisation of abusive behaviour against councillors, officers and contractors delivering public services for Havant residents.
In addition, the council resolved to:
- sign up to the LGAs Debate not Hate campaign which aims to raise public awareness of the role of councillors in local communities, encourage healthy debate, and improve the response and support to those in public life facing abuse and intimidation.
- That all group leaders write to their leaders of national parties to request their support for the LGAs Debate not Hate.
- That the Leader of the Council writes to the minister for Local Government to ask for a change to legislation so that home addresses of councillors are published as a matter of personal choice.
- To work with the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Police and Crime Commissioner to ensure there is a clear and join- up mechanism for reporting threats and other concerns about the safety of councillors and their families.
- That all councillors and officers are reminded of the process of how to report incidents of harassment and abuse.
- That security and wellbeing resources are made available to all councillors through the member portal and indeed as part of the 2024 Member Induction programme.
As part of a cross-party agreement, the leaders of the five political groups have come together to agree on the following statement:
“We fully support the values of the Debate Not Hate campaign, there is no excuse for abuse and intimidation directed towards elected Members.
“No matter our political disagreement, we are all working towards a common cause – to improve the lives of those in our communities – and because of this, it is clear that far more unites us than divides us.
“Abuse can originate from many sources. Abuse of Councillors or council officers in any form, by any one, and directed at any person is not acceptable. There is no hiding place for those who inflict abuse and personal attacks, and we would encourage anyone to call this out if they are subjected to it. Let’s all debate and not hate.”