Effigy of me was burned on bonfire, says councillor

A council leader has described fearing for her safety after an effigy of her was burned at a bonfire.

Alyson Barnes, boss of Rossendale Borough Council, revealed details of the 5 November incident at a full council meeting earlier this month.

It came in a debate about a motion calling for an end to "hostile, toxic" politics, claiming a recent rise in abuse, intimidation and misinformation was damaging local democracy.

Ms Barnes said she has "broad shoulders" and can cope with most of the abuse she has faced but the bonfire incident led her to ask for her home address to be taken off the council website.

The Labour politician said she had taken the action after feeling "It wouldn't be a big step for someone to come to my back door".

She said attention also needed to be paid to abusive social media posts, and continued: "The basic principle is about respect.

"We councillors are 30 different people who have been elected by communities. That fact needs to be respected."

Fellow Labour member Samara Barnes said: "The tone of public debate has shifted and things have become more toxic, especially online."

She said she had received police help regarding some concerns and said women faced particular challenges.

She added: "I have spent a lot of time encouraging women to get involved in politics. We tell people to be resilient, grow thicker skins and how to deal with harassment. But who is going to step forward to represent Rossendale, if this hostility continues?

"There will always be disagreements, which is healthy. But we can disagree agreeably? Not everything has to be a fight. Let's show politics can be positive."

Reform UK councillor Mackenzie Ritson supported the motion but recommended an addition to ensure councillors and officers respected the public and upheld the Nolan Principles, the ethical standards those working in the public sector are expected to adhere to.

His amendment was added to the motion, supported by all sides, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

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