Council votes to support LGA’S Debate Not Hate campaign
Monday, 25 July 2022
A motion to support the Local Government Association’s Debate Not Hate campaign was agreed at Central Bedfordshire Council’s Full Council meeting on Thursday 21 July 2022.
The Debate Not Hate campaign aims to raise public awareness of the role of councillors in their communities, encourage healthy debate and improve the responses and support for local councillors facing abuse and intimidation.
The motion, brought by Councillor James Jamieson, councillor for Westoning, Flitton and Greenfield, and seconded by Councillor Peter Snelling, was agreed by members of all political parties at the meeting.
Councillor Richard Wenham, Leader of the Council, said:
Our councillors do this because they are passionate about their communities and representing local people. Lots of councillors volunteer considerable time, expertise and passion and they should feel safe and proud to represent their communities, whatever their background or political affiliation.
Debating and disagreeing with one another is a healthy part of democracy, but abuse, harassment and intimidation cross the line into dangerous territory, whether that’s in meetings, on the streets or even online. Healthy debate is the way we work together to achieve better things for our communities.