bbc.com
Candidate Abuse in UK Election
A report reveals widespread abuse faced by candidates in the UK's 2024 general election, disproportionately affecting women and ethnic minorities.
English
United Kingdom
PoliticsUkElectionViolenceSafetyHarassment
Electoral CommissionCommons
Sir Lindsay HoyleJo CoxSir David AmessVijay Rangarajan
- What is the overall significance of the report's findings?
- The report highlights the detrimental effect of abuse on candidate participation and the overall democratic process, emphasizing the urgent need for comprehensive improvements in candidate safety and protection.
- Which groups of candidates were disproportionately targeted by abuse?
- Women and candidates from ethnic minority backgrounds were disproportionately affected, with women twice as likely and ethnic minorities more than three times as likely to report serious abuse than white men.
- What percentage of candidates in the 2024 UK general election faced abuse?
- Over half of the candidates in the UK's 2024 general election faced abuse, including intimidation, threats, and harassment, according to a report by the Electoral Commission.
- What recommendations did the Electoral Commission make to address candidate abuse?
- The Electoral Commission recommends tougher penalties for criminal acts, tighter political party membership rules, and a review of secure campaigning zones to address the issue.
- What impact did the abuse have on candidates' campaign activities and reporting practices?
- Many candidates reported avoiding campaigning alone due to safety concerns, and a significant portion did not report abuse to the police, highlighting the need for improved reporting mechanisms and support.