Policy paper

Harassment and intimidation

Published 12 February 2026

Representation of the People Bill 2026: Harassment and intimidation

We want as many people as possible to engage in our democracy, but sadly there are those who threaten this through abuse and intimidation. Abhorrent behaviours directed at candidates, campaigners and electoral staff have become more widespread over recent years. Harassment and abuse has disproportionately targeted women and minority ethnic MPs, which risks an unacceptable chilling effect on the diversity of candidates and debate in our democracy.

We are therefore taking decisive action to better protect those who campaign, who stand for public office and who deliver our elections, and to sanction those who seek to damage our democracy. We recognise that action in this space must be carefully balanced against the protection of freedom of speech.

This is a complex issue which requires a whole of government response. Alongside specific measures in the Representation of the People Bill, the Defending Democracy Taskforce is coordinating work across government and the wider public sector to tackle the full range of threats to our democracy, including developing clearer guidance for police and Returning Officers on the application of existing legislation, and new legislation to protect elected officials from being targeted by intimidating protests at their homes. The government is also working closely with the Electoral Commission and the Speaker’s Conference to develop an updated Code of Conduct for campaigning to set clear expectations for behaviour during election campaigns.

Summary of the measures

Protecting electoral staff

Under current electoral law, those convicted of specified offences involving the intimidation or abuse of candidates, campaigners or elected office holders may receive a 5-year ban from standing for, or holding, elected office. This is imposed in addition to the sentence handed down for the offence. We are expanding this law so that those who are convicted of intimidating or abusing electoral staff can also be disqualified, thereby also protecting those who deliver our elections

Tougher sentences for intimidation offences

While the disqualification order is a crucial part of tackling intimidation and harassment, as a lone deterrent it does nothing to prevent those who have no interest in standing as a candidate from intimidating or harassing candidates, campaigners or electoral staff. Therefore, provisions in the Representation of the People Bill also empower courts to give tougher sentences to those who abuse candidates, campaigners, elected representatives and electoral staff by introducing a new statutory aggravating factor.

Protecting candidates

Candidates should never feel under threat in their private homes. There is already the option for candidates to keep their home address from being published on the statement of persons nominated and ballot papers. We are now also legislating in the Bill to remove the remaining requirement for candidates who are acting as their own election agent to have their home address published on the notice of election agents, ensuring that those who partake in our democracy are safe and secure in their homes.