Elected Member safety

Speech Seconding Motion to SNP Conference (November 2021) , Focus on Diversity & barriers this represents to underrepresented groups

Delegates, in only a few short months since we briefly touched on this topic at our last conference, some truly tragic events have unfolded and our thoughts are very much with the family of David Ammes and all those who loved him.

His tragic murder, like other serious incidents before, has rightly brought focus and unity over the importance of elected member safety 

 but, as with earlier events, there is real concern that expressions of unity will be short lived and that unless action is taken appropriately within multiple spheres – little will actually change

 I therefore welcome that we are debating this resolution today.

We must recognise that there are these multiple spheres and that we – not just the party but all of us individually – inhabit some of those spheres too .

While rightly calling on action from others we must also follow through with meaningful internal reflection, put recommendations and reform into practice, and be seen to do so – not only print them as procedure or principle in online documents

I’d echo Jen’s sentiment that until very recently, local government has been a  poor relation in consideration of safety for elected members, despite the best efforts and hard work of many, though there are some welcome signs that this is beginning to change. 

There are so many horror stories, from firebombing of cllrs houses, to death threats and violence, harassment, intimidation and of course a great rise in online abuse. Studies have borne this out, not only through the excellent work that the likes of COSLA and “Elect her” have been doing but also within our own councillor cohort, where ANC studies have shown concerning metrics  about the impact of feeling unsafe has had on our own members  considering that they may not wish to stand again. 

Elect Her rebranded from previously being “The Parliament Project” but there is a concerning need for a “re-elect her” focus too, particularly because of the experience of women and other underrepresented groups currently serving. It’s a great source of personal sadness and I realise impolitic to say but on behalf of dozens of other councillors who have repeatedly said exactly the same to me privately, there is rarely a day that I don’t consider standing down after 1 term  because of the impact that this role, as much as I love it  and would feel crushed to leave it, has on our families and emotional well being.

It’s fine to acknowledge this of course – but what can we do. Some of that is outlined in this resolution, which I hope you will support – but essentially there has to be a sustained, coordinated and collective effort. Elected members need to show leadership themselves in their language and behaviour, our institutions need to put practical measures in place and have further enforceable regulation, our police service need to continue to improve their increased support & engagement and social media companies need to step up to the mark. Legislative reform and regulation is also needed and standards& complaints functions need to vastly improve to inspire further confidence in their ability to tackle issues.

AS a party, we need to be clear too however that elected member safety is important and that putting that aside & engaging in higher risk activity for political gain and electoral advantage, however well intentioned, is not acceptable. It cannot be a criteria for office, even subconsciously, that you are more suitable for the role if you are willing to accept putting yourself and your family in danger or more hardened to accepting abuse and threats than others. This has affected diversity in politics for many years but recent advances are under threat because the abusive environment has got worse.  

Please support this resolution in order that improvements to elected member safety are given the importance they deserve and that we commit to a better standard of politics that does not tolerate the abusive environment which leads to escalation and puts this under threat.