MPs' safety: danger facing public servants imperils democracy itself
Some of the words used by the Member of Parliament for Spen Valley, Kim Leadbeater, represent a reflection of society in this country that is difficult to look at. Depressing and saddening are just two of the assessments she makes of the deterioration of standards in this country when it comes to common decency, decorum and respect in relation to MPs in particular.
Concerningly, Ms Leadbeater, the sister of the late Jo Cox, killed in 2016 whilst sitting at the then MP for Batley and Spen, believes that since the murder of her sister, an ideologically-motivated killing, things have become worse not better when it comes to the safety of politicians.
That this country felt it necessary to install at all a police officer to specifically take up the mantle as the guardian of democracy is a slight on the reputation of the nation; Chris Balmer, the National Police Chiefs’ Council lead on the matter has an invidious job to do.
MPs of all political hues should be worried about the concerns and challenges of their constituents, not scanning every person in every room they enter, worried about the potential for their becoming the seventh MP killed whilst sitting as an MP since the second world war.
When good people pause to contemplate the threats faced by MPs: constant harassment, abuse and intimidation, some of which result in violent physical assaults and even, tragically, loss of life, we are instinctively repulsed.
Following that instinctive emotion, as we begin to process the predicament in which individuals find themselves, merely for choosing to represent their community at the highest political level, it is understandable that a great many people shy away from stepping forwards to perform a public duty having weighed up the risks.