Harsher punishments planned for those who intimidate election candidates
Ministers are keen to stress that they want to ensure freedom of expression is protected, while also cracking down on threatening behaviour against those competing for votes.
Communities minister Rushanara Ali said: 'We want to ensure our democracy is resilient and thriving, that people are able to engage and participate in our democracy, free from the fear of harassment and intimidation.
'Harassment and intimidation is completely unacceptable and having a chilling effect on our democracy.'
Speaker of the House of Commons, Sir Lindsay Hoyle (Ben Whitley/PA)
Courts will be given powers to impose tougher punishments on people who target candidates, campaigners, elected politicians, and electoral staff with threatening or hostile behaviour.
The punishments could apply to both real life incidents as well as those online, the Government suggested.
Some 55% of candidates at the 2024 general election experienced some form of abuse, according to research by the Electoral Commission.
Activities included slashing candidates' vehicle tyres and targeting their families.
Ministers have sought to step up work to protect elections from interference, and those involved in them from threats, via the Defending Democracy Taskforce.
In the Commons, Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle is meanwhile hosting the Speakers' Conference, examining the growing threats faced by MPs.
The conference has warned this is having a stifling impact on democratic debate, and is dissuading people from standing in parliamentary elections.
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