Local election candidates saw a 34% increase in abuse and intimidation compared to last year.

According to research from the Electoral Commission, 40% of respondents experienced issues with harassment, intimidation, or threats during the 2026 elections. This included social media harassment, physical abuse, and threatening behaviour.

The data revealed that women (43%), people with a disability (49%), and people from ethnic minority backgrounds (52%), were more likely to face abuse.

Furthermore, the results differed across parties, with Reform UK candidates (59%) and Labour candidates (54%) experiencing the highest rates of inappropriate behaviour, harassment or threats to their security, while Liberal Democrat candidates (22%) encountered the lowest.

The research found that one third of respondents contemplated not standing for election due to harassment, intimidation, or concerns about future abuse.

It also confirmed that 77% backed a formal code of conduct for campaigning, with a further 78% supporting more effective moderation of abusive content from social media companies, and 89% were in favour of political parties taking action against their members that are responsible for abuse.

The Commission has said that it is continuing its work on the code of conduct for campaigning, as well as voter education and engagement, in attempt to tackle the issues of abuse and intimidation.

However, it has argued that there is ‘more that political parties, social media companies and the UK Government should do to improve protections for candidates’.

Response

Florence Eshalomi, Minister for Democracy, said: ‘No one should face abuse or harassment simply just for standing for public office.

‘We are taking action to protect candidates, campaigners and electoral staff, including tougher sentences for those who intimidate people taking part in our democracy, and extending disqualification from elected office to those convicted of abusing electoral staff, matching protections already in place for candidates and campaigners.

‘Under the Online Safety Act, platforms must also tackle illegal content and illegal online abuse that seeks to disrupt our democratic processes, including where it is AI-generated, or face enforcement from Ofcom.’