Committee publication · Correspondence · 22 May 2025 · HC 570
Letter, dated 2 May 2025, from Rt Hon. Rushanara Ali MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Homelessness and Democracy
From: Speaker's Conference (2024)
Inquiry: Speaker’s Conference on the security of candidates, MPs and elections
Summary
Rushanara Ali, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Homelessness and Democracy, responds to the Speaker's questions on harassment and intimidation of candidates, MPs, and election staff. She defends existing legislative powers, explains low prosecution rates do not indicate ineffectiveness, outlines a holistic policy package to be published in summer, and emphasises government commitment to protecting democratic participation while preserving freedom of speech.
Key findings
- Low prosecution rates under harassment and intimidation legislation do not necessarily indicate ineffectiveness; a high bar exists to balance freedom of speech with protection from abuse.
- Elections Act 2022 powers (disqualification orders, undue influence offences) introduced only in November 2023, so low usage is expected at this early stage.
- Government will publish a Strategy paper in summer detailing planned interventions; the Defending Democracy Taskforce is reviewing police powers to protect elected representatives from harassment, particularly in their homes.
- Data collection is crucial; government will work across departments to understand enforcement authority capabilities and ensure campaigners and voters are aware of available protections.
- Local authorities must follow the Code of Recommended Practice on Local Authority Publicity, with particular attention to objectivity, even-handedness, and care during heightened sensitivity periods before elections.
Tone
ProceduralTopics
Key actors
Rushanara Ali MP, Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle, Minister Jarvis, Security Minister, Deputy Prime Minister, Home Secretary, Defending Democracy Taskforce, Local Government Association
Notable line
“… where healthy argument spills over into harassment, intimidation and abuse, it is simply unacceptable.”
Key Quotes
“… low levels of prosecution do not necessarily suggest that the legislation is ineffective. It is important that we find the right balance between protecting freedom of speech of the political debate and ensuring no one is discouraged from participating in our democracy for fear of unacceptable …”
“Those who partake in our democracy should remain safe and free from harassment and intimidation. Therefore, we are working across government to develop a holistic policy package in this area.”
“We will set out in our Strategy paper published this summer what interventions we plan to make in this space.”
“… where healthy argument spills over into harassment, intimidation and abuse, it is simply unacceptable.”
Source · parliament.uk record ↗