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Defending Democracy Taskforce
12 March 2026
Lead MP
Lindsay Hoyle
Debate Type
General Debate
Tags
Northern IrelandDemocracy & Elections
Other Contributors: 20
At a Glance
Lindsay Hoyle raised concerns about defending democracy taskforce in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Opened the debate
Established a Speaker’s Conference to examine the security of Members, candidates and elections. The conference published two reports with over 60 recommendations to tackle abuse and intimidation faced by politicians. Responses to both reports have been published and there is a shared purpose and determination to tackle the issues.
Dan Jarvis
Lab
Barnsley Central
Discussed the work the Government is leading to defend democracy, emphasising the need for action to prevent harassment, intimidation, abuse, and violence. He highlighted the importance of the defending democracy taskforce and the ongoing efforts to strengthen guidance for frontline officers and protect elected representatives. Jarvis also mentioned the establishment of a new threat assessment centre and the introduction of new laws to restrict protests outside homes of public office holders.
Lindsay Hoyle
Lab
Chorley
Thanked the Minister for his statement and for taking on the recommendations of the Speaker’s Conference. Acknowledged the efforts of those who served on the conference and expressed appreciation for the collaborative approach.
Katie Lam
Con
Weald of Kent
Ms Lam thanked the Security Minister for his statement and the work of the defending democracy taskforce. She expressed concern over the lack of caution and candour from other Government members regarding the threat of extremist Islamist violence. She criticised the Government's cohesion strategy for potentially stifling open discussions on issues like female genital mutilation and extremism.
Dan Jarvis
Lab
Barnsley Central
The Minister for Security thanked the shadow Minister for her comments and acknowledged the work of the previous Government, particularly his predecessor, Tom Tugendhat. He emphasised the cross-party nature of the taskforce and the progress made in legislating to prevent targeted protests. He also highlighted the importance of operational independence of the police while working closely with them and mentioned the introduction of a new national lead for defending democracy.
Dawn Butler
Lab
Brent Central
Ms Butler raised concerns about the threats posed by tech firms and the need for guardrails around human actions in the context of social media. She emphasised the importance of protecting human rights and the need to focus on the actions of humans rather than just AI. She also acknowledged the courage of fellow MPs in the face of abuse.
Max Wilkinson
Lib Dem
St Ives
Emphasised the importance of protecting politicians and protecting the elections from foreign interference. He mentioned concerns about the taskforce not moving fast enough to address foreign interference and proposed measures such as a dedicated crime and corruption unit and rules on cryptocurrency donations. He also discussed the threats faced by politicians and the need for better protections for those participating in public life.
Rachel Hopkins
Lab
Keighley
Asked about the protection and support for women who face increased harassment and intimidation in local politics. She highlighted the need to encourage women from all backgrounds to participate in politics without fear of threats and intimidation.
Thomas Tugendhat
Con
Tonbridge and Malling
Complimented the Minister for his work and highlighted the importance of the taskforce's work. He questioned the Minister about foreign influence, particularly from China, and the need to protect journalists from threats from various political extremists.
The Member thanked the Minister for his support and raised concerns about the algorithms that reward rage-baiting and extremist opinions, degrading public debate both online and in the House.
The Member expressed concerns about foreign influence from hostile states like China, Russia, and Iran, urging the Minister to ensure all loopholes are closed to prevent these regimes from influencing UK democracy.
The Member highlighted the need for collaboration across parties and Departments to address online abuse and foreign interference, emphasising the importance of working together to protect democracy.
The Member thanked the Minister for his statement and raised concerns about foreign interference, especially in light of recent arrests for spying for China.
The Member expressed concern about the growing threat of far-right abuse and thanked the Minister for reaching out after a recent incident in Blackpool, urging the Minister to support Members in defending democracy.
Kirsty Blackman
SNP
Aberdeen North
The Member welcomed the work of the Speaker’s Conference and expressed concerns about the need to listen to Members’ experiences to build on the strengths of the Conference.
The Member highlighted the issue of online anonymity being used as a shield for harassment and intimidation, and asked for assurances that candidates in the May election will receive the necessary support and protection.
The Member asked for assurances that the defending democracy taskforce will help defend elections in Wales from foreign influence and interference, particularly in light of recent investigations into Welsh Labour party members.
The Member agreed with the Minister on the need to prevent racist advertising and urged for a collective responsibility of political parties to ensure fair and safe debate.
Complained about the Conservative party's recent social media posts that were deemed intimidating and inappropriate, questioning if they elevate politics and conform to the values discussed in the House.
Welcomed the statement on strengthening laws for adequate protection for MPs, and raised concerns about Members of the House benefiting financially from platforms like X through angry engagement.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Inquired about the exclusion of Northern Ireland from Operation Ford, questioned the adequacy of security arrangements and guidance for Members and their staff during election periods, and sought clarification on the role of the taskforce.
Government Response
Set out the challenges faced in defending democracy, including the need to prevent harassment, ensure real consequences for abuse, and provide security for everyone who participates in the democratic process. Emphasised the importance of the defending democracy taskforce and the ongoing efforts to strengthen guidance for frontline officers and protect elected representatives. The Minister responded to the shadow Minister's concerns about extremism and the cohesion strategy, reiterating the importance of the defending democracy taskforce and the work being done to protect democracy. He also addressed the Labour MP's concerns about AI and social media, acknowledging the need to protect human rights and the importance of the work being done on the Speaker's steering group on AI. Responded to the concerns raised by the speakers. He acknowledged the threats faced by politicians and the importance of protecting those in public life. The Minister discussed the work of the Rycroft review and the threat assessment, and emphasised the need for political leadership to address these issues. He also acknowledged the importance of protecting journalists and the role they play in democracy. The Minister responded to various concerns raised by Members, emphasising the work of the defending democracy taskforce and the importance of collaboration across Departments and political divides. He also highlighted the role of the intelligence services and the need to use all available tools to stand against the threats faced by the UK. Acknowledged Al Pinkerton's concerns and expressed regret over his experience. Agreed with Samantha Niblett's point about the need to strengthen laws for protection and raised awareness about the need for additional support for Northern Ireland. Offered assurances to Jim Shannon regarding the provision of additional support to Northern Ireland and the role of the taskforce in coordinating measures during election periods.
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