K Harvey Proctor was MP for Basildon from 1979 to 1983 and Billericay from 1983 to 1987.
The recent assassination attempt on Donald Trump has sent shockwaves through democratic nations, reminding us all of the perils faced by those who serve in public office.
While some might dismiss the notion of an assassination attempt akin to that on Trump happening in the UK, the brutal murders of Jo Cox and my dear friend David Amess over the past eight years starkly contradict such complacency. This is why it is heartening to see Lindsay Hoyle and Yvette Cooper convening to discuss enhanced protections for Members of Parliament.
Jess Phillips recently lamented the aggression and violence that mar our democratic process – from activists having their tyres slashed to milkshakes thrown at candidates and constituency offices vandalised. Diane Abbott has also condemned the crude attempts to demonise those who support Palestinian rights. These acts of violence and intimidation threaten to silence passionate voices in our democracy, preventing MPs from articulating their views without fear for their safety.
The tragedies of Jo Cox and Sir David Amess highlight the ongoing rise of extremist threats against politicians, a menace that has a long history in our political landscape.
In 1979, I vividly recall speaking with a journalist from his office above the House of Commons car park. I suddenly heard an explosion over the phone and the journalist described what he could see – a car in flames. It was Airey Neave’s car.
As a result, every candidate in the 1979 general election campaign was allocated two police detectives to protect them. One could not enter an event without detectives entering first to assess the venue.
The spectre of violence re-emerged in 1984 with the Brighton bombing, targeting Margaret Thatcher’s government. I narrowly escaped harm that night by a mere twist of fate. I had been out for dinner with my agent and constituency chairman. On the way back to our accommodation, we were at a crossroads; do we go right for a nightcap at The Grand or left to our B&B? My agent had a headache so we turned left. Five minutes later we felt the explosion, which ripped apart the front of the hotel and caused several floors to crash down into one another.
Anthony Berry, the MP For Enfield Southgate, was killed in the devastating bomb attack. Three more died, and another 30 were injured.
The bomb blast claimed five lives and injured more than 30 others. Norman Tebbit and Margaret, his wife, were lying in bed when their calling collapsed. Lady Tebbit, who sadly died in 2020, was paralysed.
In 1990, Ian Gow, MP for Eastbourne, was killed by an IRA bomb that was planted under his car.
The devastation was a grim reminder of the ever-present threats those in public service faced.
Throughout my career, I have narrowly escaped direct assassination attempts including when the IRA blew up the breakfast room of a hotel in Belfast in which I stayed 24 hours after I was there. They had mixed up the dates.
I, like many others, have faced violent opposition at public engagements. From being attacked at the University of Hull to having several phials of acid thrown at me while at Bristol University. I still remember the smell and the smoke of the acid eating into the wooden bench in front of me.
More recently, I was forced to leave the UK after receiving credible death threats following the raid on my home during Operation Midland. Many believed I was a child murdering paedophile after the Metropolitan Police took to the airwaves to proclaim Carl Beech’s vicious lies as ‘credible and true’.
Despite the growing prevalence of online abuse and AI-manipulated videos, which deter candidates from standing and volunteers from canvassing, the bedrock of our democracy remains the freedom to express and debate diverse views. Yet, this freedom is under threat. We must ensure that political candidates are not fearful of standing, and MPs can openly express their views and attend public events without risking their lives, or the lives of their loved ones.
Our democratic values and discourse are the envy of the world. To preserve this, we must remain civil in our disagreements and safeguard the rights of all voices in the democratic process. As the quote reminds us, “I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.” We must uphold this principle, ensuring our democracy remains vibrant and secure for future generations.
K Harvey Proctor was MP for Basildon from 1979 to 1983 and Billericay from 1983 to 1987.
The recent assassination attempt on Donald Trump has sent shockwaves through democratic nations, reminding us all of the perils faced by those who serve in public office.
While some might dismiss the notion of an assassination attempt akin to that on Trump happening in the UK, the brutal murders of Jo Cox and my dear friend David Amess over the past eight years starkly contradict such complacency. This is why it is heartening to see Lindsay Hoyle and Yvette Cooper convening to discuss enhanced protections for Members of Parliament.
Jess Phillips recently lamented the aggression and violence that mar our democratic process – from activists having their tyres slashed to milkshakes thrown at candidates and constituency offices vandalised. Diane Abbott has also condemned the crude attempts to demonise those who support Palestinian rights. These acts of violence and intimidation threaten to silence passionate voices in our democracy, preventing MPs from articulating their views without fear for their safety.
The tragedies of Jo Cox and Sir David Amess highlight the ongoing rise of extremist threats against politicians, a menace that has a long history in our political landscape.
In 1979, I vividly recall speaking with a journalist from his office above the House of Commons car park. I suddenly heard an explosion over the phone and the journalist described what he could see – a car in flames. It was Airey Neave’s car.
As a result, every candidate in the 1979 general election campaign was allocated two police detectives to protect them. One could not enter an event without detectives entering first to assess the venue.
The spectre of violence re-emerged in 1984 with the Brighton bombing, targeting Margaret Thatcher’s government. I narrowly escaped harm that night by a mere twist of fate. I had been out for dinner with my agent and constituency chairman. On the way back to our accommodation, we were at a crossroads; do we go right for a nightcap at The Grand or left to our B&B? My agent had a headache so we turned left. Five minutes later we felt the explosion, which ripped apart the front of the hotel and caused several floors to crash down into one another.
Anthony Berry, the MP For Enfield Southgate, was killed in the devastating bomb attack. Three more died, and another 30 were injured.
The bomb blast claimed five lives and injured more than 30 others. Norman Tebbit and Margaret, his wife, were lying in bed when their calling collapsed. Lady Tebbit, who sadly died in 2020, was paralysed.
In 1990, Ian Gow, MP for Eastbourne, was killed by an IRA bomb that was planted under his car.
The devastation was a grim reminder of the ever-present threats those in public service faced.
Throughout my career, I have narrowly escaped direct assassination attempts including when the IRA blew up the breakfast room of a hotel in Belfast in which I stayed 24 hours after I was there. They had mixed up the dates.
I, like many others, have faced violent opposition at public engagements. From being attacked at the University of Hull to having several phials of acid thrown at me while at Bristol University. I still remember the smell and the smoke of the acid eating into the wooden bench in front of me.
More recently, I was forced to leave the UK after receiving credible death threats following the raid on my home during Operation Midland. Many believed I was a child murdering paedophile after the Metropolitan Police took to the airwaves to proclaim Carl Beech’s vicious lies as ‘credible and true’.
Despite the growing prevalence of online abuse and AI-manipulated videos, which deter candidates from standing and volunteers from canvassing, the bedrock of our democracy remains the freedom to express and debate diverse views. Yet, this freedom is under threat. We must ensure that political candidates are not fearful of standing, and MPs can openly express their views and attend public events without risking their lives, or the lives of their loved ones.
Our democratic values and discourse are the envy of the world. To preserve this, we must remain civil in our disagreements and safeguard the rights of all voices in the democratic process. As the quote reminds us, “I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.” We must uphold this principle, ensuring our democracy remains vibrant and secure for future generations.