Effigy of Lancashire council leader burned at bonfire as councillors call for an end to hostility

The leader of Rossendale Council said an effigy of herself was burned at a local bonfire and other councillors revealed other incidents at the latest full council meeting,

It came in a debate about a motion from Labour Coun Samara Barnes and Community First Coun Alan Neal.

They said abuse undermined democracy; prevented councillors from representing communities, deterred people from standing for election and harmed public life.

Labour Coun Alyson Barnes, the council leader, said: “I have suffered from the keyboard warriors but I’ve got broad shoulders and can cope with most of it. But on November 5 an effigy of me was burnt on a bonfire. It wouldn’t be a big step for someone to come to my back door. So I’ve asked for my home address to be taken off the council website.”

She added: “This motion is really important. The basic principle is about respect. We councillors are 30 different people who have been elected by communities. That fact needs to be respected.”

Leading the debate, Samara Barnes said: “The tone of public debate has shifted and things have become more toxic, especially on-line. Hostility is amplified and untruths are spread.”

She had received police help over concerns and said women faced particular challenges.

She added; “I have spent a lot of time encouraging women to get involved in politics. We tell people to be resilient, grow thicker skins and how to deal with harassment. But who is going to step forward to represent Rossendale, if this hostility continues?

“We’re all councillors because we care about Rossendale. We also follow the Nolan Principles. There will always be disagreements, which is healthy. But we can disagree agreeably. Not everything has to be a fight. Let’s show politics can be positive. Support this motion and take the spirit of it forward.”

Alan Neal referred to the recent shootings at Bondi Beach, Australia. He said: “We have seen what hatred can do. People lost their lives there through hatred and division.”

He said global politicians like Donald Trump, JD Vance and Vladimir Putin had pushed divisive politics and social media content for years, whilst there were additional mental health and well-being concerns around social media, especially for some young people, he said.

Regarding social media, he added: “When you see some of these inappropriate comments, you wonder where all this is heading? ”

Reform UK Coun Mackenzie Ritson supported the motion but recommended an addition.

He wanted to ensure councillors and officers respected the public and upheld the Nolan Principles, especially about ‘openness, accountability and honesty at all times in interactions with residents’.

He said: “I’ve heard comments at council meetings, said by people under their breath or when microphones are left on. The Nolan Principles are supposed to set standards for public debate and make this council chamber a place of openness and respect.”

But he was unhappy with some replies given at meetings or interpretations of his questions. He said raising a ‘point of order’ in a council meeting was not disrespectful. And he added: “I have asked for information in a meeting but been told I must ask the portfolio holder [cabinet member]. What’s the point of that?”

His amendment was added to the motion, supported by all sides.

Conservative Alan Woods said he had received ‘a couple of insults’ since being a councillor and knew of another Conservative councillor being threatened.

He said some accusations against councillors came in long, highly-detailed comments at planning meetings. Sometimes ‘underhand’ accusations were made against councillors not present at meetings, who were unable to reply.

Regarding misinformation, Coun Alyson Barnes added: “I’m struck by some opinions being bandied around as ‘the truth’. Just because someone thinks something does not mean it’s the truth.”

Regarding conduct, she said councillors were right to ask officers questions. But officers were independent professionals who deserved respect.

She said: “Officers do not deserve to get criticised at every meeting or on social media. We have got to have some trust in our staff. They are here for a reason.

“I would also urge caution about social media. We deal with complex things that do not lend themselves to simple social media posts.”