Labour MP Lizzi Collinge, who represents Morecambe and Lunesdale, has warned that "overwhelming" levels of threats and abuse are creating a "dangerous" environment for politicians, their staff, and families. She stated that anger is being "whipped up and personalised" in everyday political debate, leading to staff having to shield her from violent correspondence.
Ms Collinge, elected in 2024, said she has been advised not to advertise her surgeries due to safety concerns and finds explaining security measures like panic alarms to her children "difficult" and "exhausting." She attributes the situation partly to social media and advocates for political debate to focus on policy rather than personalities.
Her comments follow fellow Labour MP Bridget Phillipson, of Houghton and Sunderland South, disabling comments on her Facebook page due to abusive and misleading remarks, including foul language and content from bots. The House of Commons stated that MPs' security arrangements are subject to "rigorous risk-based" assessments and are under continuous review.