05.11.2026, 10:51 (UK time)
News
The UK and Australia have issued a joint statement on online violence against politicians, especially women. The document was published by Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s office (10 Downing Street) on Tuesday 3 November, during the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Antigua and Barbuda.
According to the statement, there are more than 6,000 women parliamentarians across 180 national and state parliaments in the Commonwealth. In Australia and the UK, women MPs are three times more likely than men to report sexualised or gender-based threats, online and in person. Both governments note that parliamentarians in both countries have been killed or injured while working in their communities.
London and Canberra will deepen cooperation under existing agreements on ending gender-based violence and on online safety. They also want to work with Commonwealth parliamentary organisations to bring together technology and practical solutions to protect against abuse. The first forum is due to take place in 2027. The statement also encourages trials of software tools in parliaments.
What it means
This is a political declaration, not new law. It does not immediately change UK legislation. But it shows the direction: governments want online platforms to give users more choice over what they see and to protect children better. The statement also mentions violence against journalists and against health and retail workers – jobs in which many Poles in the UK work.
Why it is happening
Online abuse and threats discourage people from standing for election and taking part in public life. In the UK the killings of MPs Jo Cox (2016) and Sir David Amess (2021) remain vivid memories. The UK already has the Online Safety Act, and Australia has introduced a social media ban for children under 16.
Risks
- Declarations without concrete deadlines and funding may change little in practice.
- Protection from abuse must go hand in hand with freedom of speech and the right to criticise politicians.
- Online harassment affects not only politicians but ordinary people too – including shop and hospital workers.
What could happen next
The first Commonwealth forum will be held in 2027. New guidance for platforms and parliaments and trials of threat-detection tools are possible. There are no details yet – watch for further government announcements.
What to do
- If you receive threats online, take screenshots, report them on the platform and to the police (101, or 999 in an emergency).
- At work you have the right to protection from violence and harassment by customers – report it to your manager.
- Talk to your children about what they see online and set up parental controls.
Contact us
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Sources: GOV.UK – Commonwealth Heads of Government 2026 statement between the UK and Australia; GOV.UK – PM meeting with Prime Minister Albanese of Australia
Photo: The wub, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons.
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