Blackpool politicians defiant in face of abuse after Jo Cox Foundation report warns of threat to democracy

Two councillors injured during an alleged incident in a Blackpool park say the experience has not deterred them from their work in the community as a recent report has warned intimidation of politicians could threaten democracy.

Councillors Danny and Michele Scott, who represent Warbreck ward for the Conservatives, were allegedly accosted in Gynn Gardens on December 8 last year with Danny suffering facial injuries and a fractured rib.An 18-year-old man was later arrested and released on police bail while further inquiries were carried out.

A new report by the Jo Cox Foundation, named after the MP who was murdered in 2016, says action needs to be taken to prevent elected representatives from stepping down due to intimidation and abuse. As well as physical threats, many face online insults.

Coun Michele Scott said she and her husband would not be deterred from continuing in their roles over the abuse people involved in politics face.

She said: "When we took the decision to become involved in local politics, it never occurred to us that it might make us targets for abuse.Sadly, as it has transpired, that is the world we entered when we put ourselves forward to represent the ward where I have lived for 23 years and Danny for 14 years. Whilst neither of us was born here, we have chosen to make Blackpool our home.

"When the opportunity arose for us to stand as councillors, we were happy to do so. We wanted to be able to work to improve where we live, for ourselves, for our friends and family, for our granddaughter and her friends and for every other resident who lives in this great town.

"We have learned that involvement in local democracy makes you a target for online abuse by people who don’t know you and disregard the work you do, but criticise who and what they think you are, based on their own stereotypical notions and hatred. Is it hard to deal with? Yes, of course it is. Do those people care about the negative impact of their actions? No, they don’t, otherwise they wouldn’t do it."

She added: "What most people don’t know, is 20 minutes after the (alleged) attack, having stopped very briefly at home to stem the flow and quickly wipe away the visible blood, we attended a community event, as we didn’t want to let our constituents down. In the days afterwards, the shock hit and the full extent of the injuries became apparent. We struggled to come to terms with what had happened and why.

"We read online the opinions of people who had no knowledge of the facts, but hypothesised and made up their own distorted version of the event. It was distressing and upsetting, helped only by those kind people who supported us and condemned the actions.

"Sadly, we believe the increase of abuse towards politicians, at a national and local level, will inevitably be making very capable people, who have a lot to give, think twice about putting themselves forward for those roles, and understandably so.

"Did we think of giving up? Yes, we did. Are we more fearful now than we were before? Yes, we are, but we are carrying on.

"Our motivation for doing so is simple to explain. We enjoy the work we do for the residents of Warbreck and the town of Blackpool. Our work on scrutiny committees, licensing and public protection committees, the Corporate Parent Panel, on fostering and adoption panels is important to us; supporting and helping the residents who elected us as their councillors is important to us and we want to do our best for them; and improving our community and our home town is important to us."