Local Councillors: Recruitment, Retention and Well-being

Baroness Wilcox of Newport Excerpts

Thursday 4th June 2026 Grand Committee

[Baroness Wilcox of Newport (Lab)]

My Lords, I declare that I am a vice-president of the LGA. In the LGA it was a pleasure to work closely with the noble Lord, Lord Forbes, as leader of the Labour group, and subsequently with the noble Lord, Lord Jamieson, as leader of the LGA.

When I became leader of the Welsh Local Government Association, I made a clear commitment: respect and equality would not be an option; they would come first. That commitment feels more urgent than ever, because intimidation in public life is not declining—it is evolving and getting worse. We have codes of conduct and processes, but process is not protection. People are staying silent because they feel intimidated, fear the consequences or are told that this is simply part of politics—it is not.

When abuse is dismissed as “banter” or ignored, it creates a culture that would not be tolerated in any other workplace. It does not stop at the council chamber door: it follows people home, online, anonymous and relentless. Many of us know that from personal experience. I have had paint thrown over my car and someone was arrested for threatening to kill me.

We say we want new voices in public life, but we are already losing them. Too often, it is younger councillors, particularly young women, who face the worst abuse and decide that it is simply not worth it. That is talent lost, representation lost and trust weakened. Leadership matters, culture matters and tone matters.

Zero tolerance cannot just be a slogan. It must be action in the moment—call it out, challenge it, stop it. Our systems must do more than just exist. They must be trusted to protect those who rely on them. I say to His Majesty’s Government: work with the devolved Administrations and local government to deliver stronger protections and real support. The reality is that if intimidation is tolerated, participation will fall. If participation falls, democracy is diminished. This is the test—act or allow that decline. That is a choice we cannot afford to get wrong.