CIVIC chiefs have agreed to support a campaign to tackle the abuse councillors receive.

The campaign, called Debate Not Hate, was launched by the Local Government Association (LGA) last year.

Winchester City Council agreed to support the campaign, brought forward by leader of the Conservative group Cllr Caroline Horrill.

Cllr Horrill said: “Debating and disagreeing is healthy in democracy. But abuse and intimidation crosses the line. The LGA census found that one in 10 councillors have experienced abuse. 

“This can prevent members from representing their area. Debating has always been a healthy part of democracy. But intimidation has no place in our politics. 

“Councillors in our district have had abusive letters, racial remarks in public and family members threatened. 

“We need to take this issue seriously and not cast it off as political banter.”

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Some councillors shared previous experience of the abuse they had received. 

Cllr Therese Evans said she had received verbal abuse for her position as chairman of the planning committee. Cllr Evans said: “When I was deputy leader, I got a Christmas present which I put under the tree. When I opened it, it contained a packet of Paxo stuffing, with the message 'get stuffed'. I was really upset about that.”

Cllr Kelsie Learney said: “This is not about snowflakes who can't take a joke or can't be told they are wrong. Many of the matters we deal with are emotional. As a councillor, I have received threats. We shouldn't be put in these kinds of conditions.”

Cllr Sue Cook said: “Last summer, I was verbally abused. It takes a lot for me to walk away from somewhere and just burst into tears.”

Cllr John Tippett-Cooper said: “Abuse is very different from robust debate. This is also for people who want to become councillors in the future.”

The council agreed to support the campaign.