'He threatened to burn down my house because I was an election candidate'

From aggressive rants in the street, to stalking and threats to burn their houses down, women councillors in Sheffield share stories of the abuse they have faced during local election campaigns. They say the tone of politics has become "increasingly mean, aggressive and unpleasant" - and feel targeted on a much bigger scale than their male colleagues.

When Safiya Saeed chaired her final full council meeting as Lord Mayor of Sheffield in March, she took the opportunity to urge political parties to look after their female candidates.

While campaigning in the 2024 local elections, she was sent a text message saying her house "should be burned down".

Two years on, in this latest election campaign, her female colleagues are still getting threats.

Councillors from all political parties say the abuse has become worse in recent years.

Saeed said: "My comments to all parties at the meeting was because of the need for women to be able to campaign safely.

"My colleagues who are female really have it hard.

"When I was campaigning, me and other female colleagues had WhatsApp groups set up about us, we had death and arson threats.

"It was crazy that there was that much hate, it was really horrible.

"I wanted to highlight this as we should be encouraging more women to stand for election.

"Everyone should have respect for each other. Women candidates need to keep standing up to this, reporting it, calling it out and parties should be aware there are safety issues."

Saeed said she reported the abuse to police but there were no charges.

Gail Smith first started campaigning in 1992 but has never known it to be as "nasty" as now.

"I had an absolutely horrendous incident while leafleting where a man threatened to come round and set fire to my house. He said if he saw me in the street he would run me over," she said.

Smith reported it to police and a man is due in court.

She said: "I had one woman who ranted and raved at me when I delivered a leaflet. I tried to make light of it but she was swearing, it was shocking how she turned on me.

"I think people are fed up with politics, we're living through very difficult times, but I don't know a male colleague who has had the same abuse.

"It's a disgrace as 99.9% of local councillors do good in their community.

"My fellow ward councillor is from a different political party and we have great respect for each other, there's no animosity between us, but the abuse from voters has never been like this before."

Councillor Glynis Chapman was leafleting when an angry man threatened to follow her home.

She reported it to South Yorkshire Police and the man agreed to apologise.

"I've been delivering leaflets for quite a few years and I've had the occasional person say, 'I don't want your rubbish' or 'please don't deliver here again' but it has become more aggressive.

"Recently a man came out of his house after I had delivered a leaflet and started shouting abuse.

"He threatened to follow me home, which was a lot worse than I had ever had before, it was quite frightening. I got home a bit shaken."

Operation Ford is a national police initiative to "strengthen the safety and security" of people in certain roles, including election candidates.

Chapman said: "I reported it to Operation Ford and police spoke to him, he apologised and said he was just having a bad day and was angry.

"I've often wondered whether he would have shouted if it had been a tall young man who'd been delivering leaflets."

Chapman said when she had spoken to male councillors, they had not had the same level of abuse.

"It has definitely got worse, there is more bad language and people are more aggressive."

Councillor Angela Argenzio said the tone of politics had become "increasingly mean, aggressive and unpleasant".

"I feel I put myself at risk when I am on my own doing my work as a councillor and I have cancelled my advice surgeries because of some difficult situations I found myself in.

"When I am out canvassing I always pair up with someone as it's always safer to know someone is keeping an eye out for you. Most people are lovely but it's common sense for a woman to take steps to be protected."

Argenzio said it was important for women to stand up to any oppression.

"I very much believe women should be supported and empowered to become councillors and MPs."

Operation Ford has a specific focus on tackling harassment and intimidation at a local level.

A police spokesperson said: "We provide tailored advice to affected individuals throughout the election period and beyond.

"We understand the specific challenges affecting elected members and Op Ford provides us with practical tools and guidance which allow us to intervene early when concerning behaviour escalates. Any form of harassment is unacceptable."

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