Targeted ex-councillor warns of 'venom' in politics

Stephan Fifield said his car had been vandalised numerous times while he was campaigning

A former county councillor has raised concerns over "the venom that has spread in politics" following personal attacks, blackmail attempts and damage to his car during recent elections.

Stephan Fifield served as the deputy leader of Gloucestershire County Council for the Conservatives before losing his seat earlier this year.

He said he had noticed an increase in "political outrage" since standing for election in 2017 – and said support was "non-existent" for councillors and candidates.

The council said it provided councillors with "comprehensive guidance and resources as part of its induction and ongoing training programme".

Its leader, Lisa Spivey, said it was "not acceptable" for them to be targeted.

Mr Fifield said that, during the 2024 Cheltenham Borough Council elections, his car was keyed twice while canvassing, his car window was smashed, and election leaflets were stolen.

He said he had also received threatening emails and aggressive notes through his letterbox, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Mr Fifield said he believed the quality of public discourse had worsened in recent years.

"When I got elected in 2021, the attitude was that you must put your address on the website so people know that you're local," he said.

He said the county council now recommended its members did not put their private address online.

"That's indicative of what's happened," he said.

'Toxic environment'

Mr Fifield said a more aggressive type of discourse had made its way into council debates.

"The heightening tone as part of the political outrage has become more common in recent years and it's creating a toxic environment," he said.

Mr Fifield believes this is putting off potential candidates.

"Would a councillor who was older than me, or may have had mental health challenges in the past, want to put themselves under that sort of duress?" he asked.

"We talk a lot about the mental health of society, but it seems we've decided that politicians don't have mental health."

He said candidates in particular had "no support network" and were simply advised to report abuse issues to the police.

Mr Fifield added: "I think we need to have a bit more of an open discussion if we want a good mixture of people coming in to stand as councillors."