Luton MP Sarah Owen says abuse of politicians is on the rise
The Labour MP says women in public life are particularly targeted
Luton North's Labour MP Sarah Owen says abuse and threats against politicians have increased in recent years, with women often bearing the brunt.
Ms Owen, who was elected in 2019, says the level and frequency of abuse has increased during her time in Parliament.
She says women MPs in particular can face death threats, rape threats, stalking and harassment.
“The increase in threats and the level of abuse and the number of abuse and kind of just the mainstreaming of it has increased over the last few years,” she told us.
Ms Owen says she believes the tone of political debate needs to change, arguing that people should be able to disagree without treating those with opposing views as “an enemy or a traitor”.
She also believes social media companies should face greater pressure over abuse directed at politicians.
She says the abuse of politicians could have wider consequences for democracy, particularly if young people are put off entering politics because of what they see public figures experiencing.
“If you have a kid now looking at the political landscape, would you encourage your child to go into politics? Probably not,” she said.
Security concerns
Ms Owen says she faced three security incidents within the space of three weeks earlier this year, forcing her to suspend face-to-face meetings with constituents.
Asked whether MPs need more security, she said she believed a combination of measures was needed.
She said security arrangements were already available to MPs, but that existing processes should work effectively before any expansion is considered.
She also said the wider tone of public life needed to change.
“We have lost the art of being able to disagree well,” she said.
‘It doesn't make me want to stop’
Despite the abuse she has experienced, Ms Owen says it has not made her consider giving up her work as an MP.
“The level of abuse doesn't ever make me want to stop doing what I'm doing. I love my job and I love the changes that you can bring about in politics.”
However, Ms Owen says it has affected the way she uses social media, as she came off X several years ago and now thinks twice about posting content.
She says she can receive thousands of “hostile comments” on a post within an hour.
But she says the abuse will not stop her from raising issues she believes are important - instead, saying it is “even more reason” for her to continue doing the work.