Racism and death threats - Black Country councillors lift lid on abuse as families targeted

Speaking at a meeting of full council on Thursday 26, members opened up about their families being targeted, racism and Islamophobia, and public threats of being shot.

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Leader of the Labour group, Councillor Matt Ward, became emotional when referring to his partner’s workplace being targeted.

He said: “We’ve seen colleagues subjected to coordinated hostility. We’ve seen individuals turn up at councillors’ homes, families drawn into situations they never chose to be part of.

“This is not robust debate, it’s not democratic engagement, it’s not accountability, it’s a dangerous erosion of standards that underpin public life.

“We’re elected reps, accountable for our decisions and we expect scrutiny and welcome challenge, but we are not public property and neither are our families.

“Targeting partners’ workplaces crosses the boundaries that should never have been crossed. If we want good people, people with families and careers and lived experience to stand for election, we must create an environment where service does not come at the expense of our personal safety.”

Members applauded the Labour leader with a standing ovation.

Leader of Walsall Community Independents Group, Councillor Aftab Nawaz, spoke of racism on social media.

He said: “Many years ago people used to sit in the pub, have a pint and say all sorts of nonsense about elected members. Now they’ve got social media, every Tom, Dick and Harry, and most of them are Dicks, go onto social media and say all sorts of things.

“We sometimes advertise our policies on social media. People comment and say ‘Why don’t you go back to your own country?’ or ‘You’re trying to bring sharia law to the country’.

“People who target you are allowed to say in the public domain things that many years ago we would find embarrassing.

“I’m not an immigrant, I was born here, yet people will say to me you need to go back where I came from. I was born in Birchills and live in Blakehall. The stupidity is when I get up and speak everybody can tell I’m from this town.

“National politicians have responsibility when they talk about immigration, asylum seekers, disabled people or people on benefits. Politics is something that should bring the highest standard out of all of us to change the lives for our residents and our town.”

Councillor Ram K Mehmi, ward member for Pleck, added: “It does affect every councillor’s life and family life. We do need to support each other in this sense.

“At a meeting in Darlaston, someone shouted in front of other people, ‘Can’t we get Councillor Mehmi shot?’

“It is a serious matter and it does affect your life. We serve very proudly, we are full of integrity and we are very strong to face these challenges.”

Councillor Mike Bird, leader of Walsall Council, added: “You’ll be aware of the hate campaign directed at me over the last few weeks.

“I’m used to people having a go at me. But when I had my 16-year-old granddaughter come home about this, my wife and my daughter, I say to you now, you’re all despicable.

“Attack me if you like, attack my family at your peril. You picked the wrong one with me.

“I know who they are. Some are in the gallery today, some are sitting in the council chamber.

“If people think they can throw abuse at elected members of the council, lies and innuendo, I hope you’ve got big pockets.”

The remarks were in response to a report from the Local Government Association about its Debate not Hate campaign.

Councillor Poonam Gill, ward member for Short Heath, called on her colleagues to support the campaign at the council meeting.

She said: “Robust debate, disagreement and challenge are essential to democracy but abuse threats and intimidation are not debate. They cross a line and have no place in local government.

“For some the abuse is persistent and deeply distressing. It affects wellbeing, not only of the elected member but for their family and their lives. In too many cases it deters people from standing for public office at all.

“Being an elected councillor does not mean surrendering the right to basic dignity, safety or respect. Abuse is not an acceptable form of engagement.”