The level of abuse and harassment being directed towards councillors across the political spectrum is completely unacceptable and more often than not goes unchecked.
If we want local people to come forward and serve in public life, it must be safe and rewarding as a bare minimum.
Oldham is unfortunately a sad example of a politics which is being torn by extreme and divisive actors chasing wedge issues, launching personal attacks and openly disrupting even routine democratic meetings.
In a single week meetings have been disrupted, online abuse stepping well over the line into harassment which has all the hallmarks of being coordinated, private meetings were unlawfully recorded and shared online, and the leader of the council has had to face court for alleged abuse she experienced going about her everyday business in the town.
Members and activists don’t have to agree with each other to be able to debate issues they care about, they don’t even need to particularly like eachother. But they do need to show respect and behave appropriately.
That this has now become normalised is not acceptable. The law needs strengthening, as does the code of conduct. But that is no substitute for personal responsibility.
As a local MP who lives here and cares about the borough I’ll do all I can to call this out and support any measures to make things better.
For everyone trying their best to make the borough better by serving in public life, thank you 
Jim McMahon OBE MP 