A report has called for greater oversight of social media platforms to protect MPs from abuse and intimidation.
The Speakers Conference, a cross-party group of MPs, has put together recommendations to address the “current climate of toxic political discourse”.
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The recommendations include the introduction of an elections code of practice by Ofcom, the media regulator, and new legislation under the Online Safety Act to address emerging threats such as disinformation, deepfakes, and doxing.
Sir Lindsay Hoyle, Speaker of the House of Commons and chair of the conference, said: “Standing for election and representing your community is something anyone should be able to aspire to.
“But the current climate of toxic political discourse is having a corrosive effect on our democracy, and is discouraging people from participating in our democratic process. The perception that it is acceptable to abuse public figures must end.”
The report also calls for a review of how misogynistic abuse is treated under hate crime legislation and urges political parties to provide tailored support for female candidates.
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It advocates for improved citizenship education in schools and a national public awareness campaign to challenge the normalisation of abuse towards MPs and promote respectful political engagement.
It also includes recommendations for greater media regulation, including encouraging politicians and the press to participate more in long-form interviews to avoid over simplification and misrepresentation of stories.
Sir Lindsay said: “The Speaker’s Conference report makes clear recommendations to government, the police, the media and wider civil society on how we can uphold freedom of speech and ensure accountability, while reducing threats and ensuring greater security for candidates, MPs and our democratic institutions.
“The onus is on all of us to moderate political discourse and ensure it does not cross the line into abuse, intimidation or violence. I will continue to work with all relevant groups to protect and defend our democracy.”
The Speaker’s Conference was formed last year and was brought together to consider specific topics. It has similar powers to select committees and can request documents, call witnesses and take oral and written evidence.
The conference published its first report in June which made recommendations on how the response to threats against MPs, candidates and elections can be strengthened.
This report found that 96% of MPs surveyed had experienced abuse, and nearly half of their staff had felt unsafe as a result of abuse.
The second phase of work focused on “what can be done to reduce the level of threat posed to MPs and candidates”.
