May 19, 2024
2 mins read

‘UK politics in ‘dangerous’ state’

Labour MP Kim Leadbeater warns that threats to politicians and mental health strains have put UK democracy in a “dangerous” place…reports Asian Lite News

UK politics is in a worse situation than it was in 2016 when Jo Cox was murdered, the late MP’s sister has warned.

Labour MP Kim Leadbeater, who represents her sister’s former seat in Parliament, said threats to politicians’ safety and the strain on their mental health meant the UK’s democracy was in a “dangerous” place.

In a further sign of the strain being felt in Westminster, Tory MP Elliot Colburn said MPs across the House had attempted to take their own lives.

The MPs were speaking to the BBC Radio 4’s show Broken Politicians, Broken Politics.

Cox was murdered in 2016 by a right-wing extremist in her Yorkshire constituency during the European Union referendum campaign.

Leadbeater, who represents the same Batley and Spen seat, told the BBC programme: “I think politics was in a pretty bad place at that time. There was a lot of division. There was a lot of anger.”

“Sadly, I would say, if anything, it’s worse.”

She added: “Elected officials not feeling they can always speak freely, not feeling they can always say what they really think.”

“And potentially, worst case scenario, not necessarily voting in the way that they think they should vote because they know the impact it’s going to have on their safety, but also on their mental health and well-being.

“And that is a really dangerous place to be. That is not good for democracy.”

Earlier this year, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak warned the UK could be descending into “mob rule” amid fears about MPs being targeted by demonstrators over the Israel-Hamas conflict.

Meanwhile, Colburn, who has spoken in the Commons about a 2021 suicide attempt, told the programme: “Colleagues from all UK political parties have attempted to take their own life.”

The programme had exclusive access to preliminary findings of a 2024 survey of departing MPs, highlighting the impact of the job on their mental health.

It also includes new evidence from the House of Commons, which suggested that mental health is one of the most common reasons those in Westminster contact its medical services.

Matt Hawkins, co-director of the campaign group Compassion in Politics, said: “We need to have a national conversation about the harm our political system is doing to anyone who seeks to work in it or with it.”

“Toxic debates, abuse, long hours, lack of autonomy – these are just some of the issues that are taking a massive toll on our elected representatives and their teams.”

“But the problem doesn’t stop there. These are the individuals being chosen to represent our interests, and they are having to do so while perennially exhausted, often anxious, and sometimes depressed.”

“If we want to change our country for the better, we need to change our politics and help create a political environment that is inclusive, welcoming, supportive, and caring.”

ALSO READ: UK tightens scrutiny of all Indian spice imports  

Previous Story

US NSA Heads to Israel

Next Story

EU Accused of Censoring Russian Media

Latest from -Top News

Modi Eyes Trade Deals in Maldives

PM Modi will arrive in Maldives on July 25 which would be the second and final leg of his two-nation visit, following the visit to the United Kingdom, starting Wednesday….reports Asian Lite

Russia Strikes Back at EU

The Council of the European Union approved the 17th and 18th packages of sanctions on Russia on May 20 and July 18…reports Asian Lite News Russia has significantly expanded its entry ban

PM Modi Due in UK

PM Modi’s visit to the UK, scheduled for July 23–24, comes at the invitation of British counterpart Keir Starmer and will be his fourth trip to the country….reports Asian Lite News Prime

Victory First, Then Peace?

Katz stressed the importance of meeting the war’s goals as set, primarily the return of all Israeli hostages and the surrender of Hamas….reports Asian Lite News Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said

US Brings Up Old Claim, India Pushes Back

US Raises Trump’s India-Pakistan Claim at UN; India Reaffirms Bilateral Stand…reports Asian Lite News The US brought President Trump’s May claim of resolving the India-Pakistan conflict to the Security Council, but New
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Private schools to take legal action against VAT on fees

The government predicts that private school fees could rise by

UK wages rise sharply in April

The Bank of England has sharply increased its main interest