Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council has adopted a motion condemning personal abuse, threats and the growing use of artificial intelligence to produce images that humiliate or misrepresent people involved in public life.
Council seeks to protect local democracy from intimidation
At a full council meeting on 22 July, members agreed the importance of moving debate away from personal attacks and towards discussion of policy and ideas. The motion, introduced by Councillor Barbara Inman (Labour, Roseworth), drew particular attention to the use of AI to create realistic but false images of individuals, including content that sexualises or degrades women and girls.
Councillors said such material could discourage people from participating in public life or standing for election, with an explicit call for the council to condemn imagery produced to "humiliate, denigrate or undermine" people.
"Those serving in public life should be able to do so without being subjected to manipulated imagery intended to humiliate, denigrate or undermine them."
An alternative version of the motion was tabled by Cllr Tony Riordan, leader of the Conservative group and member for Norton North, which retained most of the original points while offering a different framing.
What the council motion addresses
- Intimidation and threats directed at people in public roles
- Harassment and abusive behaviour, including discriminatory language
- AI-generated images that misrepresent, ridicule or sexualise individuals
- Promotion of civility and respectful political debate to encourage participation
Councillors said they wanted a "turning point" in how local political discussion is conducted, arguing that ridicule and public humiliation place a barrier between the public and democratic engagement. The motion sought to encourage responsible debate and increase respect for those who take on public roles.
Local implications and practical context
Although the motion is not a legal instrument, it is a public statement of principles from the borough council. Local groups, prospective candidates and residents who engage in political discussion online or at events may take the council's stance into account. The debate feeds into broader national conversations about online harms, the misuse of AI tools and the protection of those in public life—particularly women and girls, whom councillors said are disproportionately affected by online abuse.
| Motion proposer | Alternative proposer | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Barbara Inman (Labour, Roseworth) | Tony Riordan (Conservative, Norton North) | 22 July 2026 |
Council members urged debate to concentrate on policies and decisions rather than personal lives or appearances. The statement may lead to further local initiatives to support safe participation in public life, though councillors did not set out immediate enforcement measures at the meeting.
The motion reflects growing concern among elected officials nationally about the impact of new technologies and toxic online culture on democratic processes and citizen involvement.
