More than half of candidates in this year's local elections in England experienced abuse or intimidation while campaigning, according to a new Electoral Commission report, prompting fresh concern about the safety of those seeking public office. The watchdog warned that rising hostility could deter people from standing in future elections and urged social media platforms to remove abusive content more quickly, while calling on political parties to reinforce respect between members regardless of party affiliation.

The report found 55 per cent of candidates faced abuse, up from 47 per cent the previous year, with online harassment the most common form, affecting 39 per cent of candidates. Other incidents included stalking, verbal attacks and physical violence, though only 15 per cent of those targeted reported abuse to the police. Labour and Reform UK candidates reported the highest rates of mistreatment, over half in each case, compared with 43 per cent for the Greens, 26 per cent for the Conservatives and 22 per cent for the Liberal Democrats. Electoral Commission chief executive Vijay Rangarajan said the findings showed "growing threats" to democracy, while Conservative deputy leader Alex Burghart said intimidation must not be allowed to silence candidates or drive them out of public life.