Abuse and intimidation of candidates in England’s local and mayoral elections has reached a level that is changing how people campaign and whether they seek office again, the Electoral Commission has said. Candidates reported being spat at and verbally and physically assaulted, with women, people from minority ethnic backgrounds and people with disabilities among those most likely to be targeted.
Electoral Commission chief executive Vijay Rangarajan said the abuse was not directed at one political party and appeared to have several causes, including the growing overlap between online and offline behaviour. He called the rise the commission’s “single biggest worry”.
How intimidation is affecting candidates
Female candidates were also more likely than male candidates to avoid speaking on controversial topics: 57% reported doing so, compared with 32% of men. The commission said changes in campaigning were affecting local politics by reducing opportunities for voters to meet candidates. Related coverage: Families carry campaign for assisted dying bill back to Commons.
Rangarajan described cases involving a disabled candidate who was threatened at the doorstep and could not run away because of their disability, and another candidate whose child saw online abuse accusing the parent of being a racist, fascist and Nazi.
Key figures
- 59% of Reform UK candidates reported personally experiencing inappropriate behaviour, harassment or threats to their security.
- 54% of Labour candidates reported the same experience, followed by 42% of Green candidates, 37% of independents, 26% of Conservative candidates and 22% of Liberal Democrat candidates.
- One-third of candidates said harassment or intimidation might stop them standing again.
- Among women, 79% said they had avoided campaigning alone at least once, compared with 46% of men.
What the Electoral Commission is calling for
The commission recommended that social media companies develop rapid-response protocols to tackle online abuse of candidates. It also called on political parties to urge members to respect other campaigners and support a multi-partisan approach to robust but respectful debate. Read the context: The Political Fallout of Graham Platner Reveals Unequal Expectations for Candidates in US Elections.
Rangarajan welcomed proposals in the representation of the people bill that would protect election agents’ home addresses, extend protections to electoral staff and increase sentences for offences against candidates, elected officials and electoral staff.
Voters remain satisfied with the process
Despite concerns about candidate safety and election information, 94% of voters in England said they were satisfied with how the voting process was run. That was similar to 95% in 2025 and 96% in the last comparable elections in 2022.
More than half of surveyed voters said they had seen misinformation, while one in 10 said they had seen deepfake material.
What happens next
The commission’s recommendations include action by social media companies and political parties, while the representation of the people bill contains proposals on candidate and electoral-staff protections.
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