Clutha Mayor Bryan Cadogan disclosed that his wife, Allyson, slept with a weapon for several months due to death threats he received during the 2022 local government elections. He reported the threats to the police but felt they didn't take sufficient action. This followed a report of racist abuse received by Clutha District councillor Jock Martin.
Cadogan highlighted the escalating abuse and aggression towards local politicians, including verbal attacks, spitting incidents, and online threats. He emphasized the emotional toll this takes on their families. Councillor Alison Ludemann also announced her intention to step down due to public bullying.
The article discusses concerns about the negative impact of such abuse on local government, potentially driving away well-intentioned candidates. The issue of online hate speech and its amplification is also highlighted, alongside the need to address this escalating problem.