Call for Evidence

TERMS OF REFERENCE 

On 14 October 2024 the House of Commons agreed a motion to establish a committee, to be known as the Speaker’s Conference. That motion ordered that the Conference consider: 

• the factors influencing the threat levels against candidates and MPs, and 

• the effectiveness of the response to such threats, 

and make recommendations about: 

• the arrangements necessary to secure free and fair elections, and 

• the appropriate protection of candidates at future UK-wide parliamentary elections and of elected representatives thereafter. 

This instruction from the House will form the basis of the Conference’s terms of reference. 

CALL FOR EVIDENCE 

Hearing directly from MPs, their staff, former MPs, and candidates about their personal experiences will be central to the work of the Conference. It will publicise arrangements for hearing their views in due course.  

In the meantime, the Conference invites written evidence from external organisations on the questions set out below. Respondents are not required to answer every question, and are encouraged to focus submissions on their areas of experience and expertise. 

Factors influencing threat levels against candidates and MPs 

• What factors influence the level and nature of threats targeted at candidates and MPs? 

• What effects do the approach to, and conduct of, campaigning have on candidates’ security? 

• How effective are existing deterrents to threatening candidates and MPs, specifically in relation to the criminal justice response? 

• What are the drivers of these behaviours? 

Effectiveness of the response to such threats at the 2024 General Election 

• How effective were steps taken to protect candidates, and make them feel safe, during the General Election period? How could security at future elections be strengthened? 

• What challenges do police forces face in relation to consistent policing of a) breaches of electoral law and b) crimes against candidates or democratic processes at electoral events, and elected representatives thereafter? 

• Are there any changes to electoral law that would help strengthen the security of candidates and democracy more widely? 

• Do Returning Officers, the Electoral Commission and other organisations involved in the delivery and oversight of elections have sufficient powers and systems in place to help ensure a) candidate security and b) appropriate oversight of candidate registration? 

• Do affected individuals have the information and support required to tackle threatening behaviour or communication?  

Securing free and fair elections 

• What are the barriers to an individual feeling safe and able to stand, campaign and serve as an MP? And how can those barriers be removed? 

• How do threats, abuse and harassment affect the staff and families of candidates and MPs? And how does the impact on staff and families affect decisions about standing, campaigning and serving as an MP? 

• How does the prevalence of mis-/dis-information during election periods affect the risks to candidates? And are there sufficient measures in place to identify, tackle and deter such material?  

• To what extent do foreign state actors influence the nature and level of threats to candidates and MPs? And what steps can be taken to track and mitigate such influence? 

• How are technology and threats likely to evolve, and what more is needed? 

Protection of candidates and MPs

Protective security measures 

The Conference will approach MPs, their staff, former MPs and candidates, as well as stakeholders involved in security provision, directly to hear their experiences and gather evidence on matters relating to protective security measures. 

Threat reduction 

• What more can be done to tackle malicious communications targeted at MPs and candidates on social media platforms?  

• Are there any changes to a) offences, b) policing powers, capacity and structures, c) prosecutions and d) sentencing guidelines that would strengthen the deterrent effect of the criminal justice response to individuals who engage in threatening behaviour or communications?  

• How should non-criminal but harmful behaviours against candidates and MPs be addressed? 

• What steps should political parties, the education system, civil society, and the media take to help tackle threats against candidates, MPs, and elections? 

• Are there any international examples of effective threat reduction measures we could learn from? 

NOTES FOR SUBMITTERS 

The Conference is asking for written submissions by midnight on Friday 7 February.  

The Conference welcomes written submissions from all interested parties. However, it cannot intervene in individual cases. 

Each submission should be no longer than 3,000 words and contain a brief introduction about the author. Submissions should be in malleable format such as MS Word (not PDFs) with no use of colour, logos or photos. Further guidance is available here: 

https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm/written-evidence-guidance.htm