A Westminster Hall debate on Intimidation in public life, initiated by Simon Hart MP, has been scheduled for Tuesday 21 May 2019 at 2.30pm.
Intimidation in public life (244 KB, PDF)
Following the 2017 General Election, the Prime Minster asked the Committee on Standards in Public Life (CPSL) to conduct a short review of the issue of intimidation experienced by Parliamentary candidates.
Candidates from all parties reported verbal abuse, graffiti and even death threats during the 2017 campaign, some saying that it was the worst they could remember.
The CSPL report included over 30 recommendations. These were targeted at social media companies, political parties, the media and all those in public life.
One of the recommendations was that the Government should consult on a new crime in electoral law of intimidating candidates during an election period.
The Government consulted on the introduction on a new offence of intimidating candidates and party campaigners during an election in July 2018. The Government also consulted on extending the provisions for imprints to be displayed on digital campaign material.
You may also be interested in the Library Insight, Intimidation of political candidates: Review and recommendations
Intimidation in public life (244 KB, PDF)
This Commons Library Briefing Paper provides information about which groups in the UK are considered to be politically disengaged, and why. This paper will use the term ‘political disengagement’ to capture certain behaviours and attitudes towards the political system. It uses a range of different sources, which are referenced in the PDF.
Restrictions on the use of public resources are in place during the pre-election period before elections and referendums. The Cabinet Office issues guidance for civil servants on their conduct during this period.
Ecuador held a general election on 7 February 2021 to elect a President, Vice-President and members of the National Assembly.
