Rejected petition: Require political campaigns to avoid stigmatising nationalities
Rejected on
Require political parties and election candidates to avoid using nationality to associate entire communities with crime or antisocial behaviour, and issue guidance promoting responsible, evidence-based political communication that protects community cohesion and equality.
Political debate should focus on individual criminal responsibility, not nationality. Recent public statements linking specific national communities to crime have increased concern among many law-abiding residents. Such language risks reinforcing prejudice, damaging community cohesion and undermining equality. The Government should issue clear guidance to ensure political campaigns use evidence-based, responsible language that does not stigmatise entire national communities.
Why was this petition rejected?
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Under the Public Order Act 1986, it is already a criminal offence to use threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour, or produce any written material which is threatening, abusive or insulting, that intends to stir up racial hatred.
The Act defines racial hatred as hatred against a person or group of people defined by reference to colour, race, nationality (including citizenship) or ethnic or national origins.
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