Trafford councillors share experiences of misogyny and racism

Jo Harding is among a number of councillors who have had people turning up at her door

A councillor has told how she had to get restraining orders against three men who subjected her to misogynistic abuse.

Labour Councillor Jo Harding told a Trafford Council meeting that people had been "turning up at my front door".

She agreed constituents were "entitled to views" but said "we don't deserve death threats".

Conservative Councillor Rupali Paul said she had also experienced abuse of "a racial nature".

She said women in politics were dealing with "an extraordinarily harsh misogynistic environment which targets them in a gender-based manner".

"It does not target men in the same way," she added.

"People from all backgrounds should feel able to participate in politics at any level without having to face a toxic, abusive and hateful environment where they are attacked based upon their minority status."

She added it was "very difficult for many minority groups" to feel able to get into politics.

'Incredible misogyny'

Councillors were discussing a Debate Not Hate campaign - launched by the Local Government Association (LGA), where a motion backing it was proposed by Conservative opposition leader Nathan Evans.

The council voted through a version of the motion, which was amended slightly by the Greens.

Ms Harding said: "As a female councillor, I have endured incredible misogyny and it has got worse."

She added she had been part of a working group with the LGA, where they had heard "horrifying" responses from councillors who had been consulted.

"If we want good councillors and we want people to come forward and represent their communities we should feel supported to be able to do this role and express views," she said.

Liberal Democrat Councillor Will Frass said that, in 2023, his party had supported the move to stop home addresses being published online.

"Members of my group have had people turn up on their doorstep over the years," he said.

"It's never really been appropriate. My only concern is that we are elected to public office.

"Someone has got to call these things out because it is our responsibility."