The Electoral Commission has warned that harassment and intimidation of candidates have risen sharply, with more than half of those standing for the May 2026 English local and mayoral elections reporting problems, prompting a call for parties to embed a “must respect other campaigners” clause in their rules and for social media firms to tighten protection for aspiring politicians.
Scope of the problem
An extensive survey of 25,000 individuals who contested the 2026 elections – covering 5,000 seats across 136 councils and six mayoralties – revealed that over 50 % faced some form of harassment or intimidation, the highest figure recorded in the past four years. The most common form of abuse was inappropriate contact through social media, while the emergence of disinformation generated by artificial intelligence was also highlighted as a growing concern.
One candidate described how their daughter called them from school in tears after seeing online posts branding the candidate “racist, fascist and Nazi”. Another recounted being shouted at with death threats while canvassing, unable to flee because of a disability. These personal accounts underscore the severity of the threat landscape.
Groups most vulnerable
Women, ethnic minority individuals and people with disabilities were identified as the populations most likely to suffer abuse. The data showed that 79 % of female respondents avoided campaigning alone at least once, compared with just under half of their male counterparts, and one female candidate admitted she felt compelled to bring her husband for support. Roughly one‑third of all respondents said they were contemplating withdrawing from future contests because of the hostile environment.
Party obligations and regulatory recommendations
The Electoral Commission is urging political parties to insert explicit statements in their constitutions that obligate members to treat fellow campaigners with respect, with clear disciplinary procedures for breaches. It also calls on social media platforms to accelerate the removal of abusive content and to improve mechanisms for identifying perpetrators, arguing that swift action is essential to protect the integrity of the electoral process.
Reform UK and Labour candidates were found to be more than twice as likely as their Conservative and Liberal Democrat rivals to report harassment, while Green and independent contenders fell somewhere in between. This disparity suggests that the intensity of campaigning and the visibility of certain parties may exacerbate the risk of abuse.
Reporting and enforcement gaps
Despite the prevalence of intimidation, only 15 % of those experiencing abuse reported the incidents to police, indicating a substantial gap in trust or confidence in the reporting system. The low reporting rate hampers the ability of authorities to intervene effectively and may embolden perpetrators.
Chief executive Vijay Rangarajan summed up the Commission’s stance: “These elections demonstrate the growing threats posed to democracy,” and added, “Without improvements to candidate safety, there is a significant risk that people will be put off standing in future elections.” His remarks underline the urgency of systemic change.
Why it Matters
The escalation of candidate abuse threatens the very fabric of democratic participation; when harassment deters qualified individuals – especially women, minorities and disabled persons – from contesting office, the diversity of representation erodes, weakening public trust and the legitimacy of elected bodies. Ensuring a safe and respectful campaign environment is therefore not merely a matter of courtesy but a prerequisite for a functioning democracy.
