Reform figure backs bid to protect candidates’ addresses

Graham Fisher, chairman of Reform UK Basingstoke & Deane, has joined a cross-party campaign for stronger protections for election candidates and agents.

An open letter to Baroness Taylor of Stevenage, the Lords minister for housing and local government, says electoral laws have failed to keep pace with threats including online harassment, intimidation and “doxxing” — publishing someone’s personal information without permission.

The letter calls for candidates’ home addresses to be kept off public election documents by default but shared privately with returning officers for verification. It proposes the same protection for election agents.

Calls to keep politicians' home addresses off public election documents

The letter states: "No candidate, election agent or volunteer should have to choose between participating in democracy and protecting the safety and privacy of their home and family."

It says publishing home addresses creates "an entirely avoidable risk" to candidates, their partners, children, families and neighbours.

Mr Fisher told the Gazette that conversations with prospective candidates during this year’s local election campaign helped drive his support.

He said: "At the end of the day, I love Basingstoke. I have been here for almost 10 years.

"I brought my family into the world in Basingstoke and I want the best for the town and I believe that Reform UK is the best party to do that.

"I'm really proud to have been selected to be the member to lead the party into the next local and general election in Basingstoke."

Mr Fisher said he was particularly concerned that existing rules may discourage women from entering politics.

He said: "I am really happy about the outcome of the Women's Democracy Forum and I am proud to have been invited.

Graham Fisher is leading a campaign calling to keep politicians' home addresses off public election documents

"During the local elections, I met many brilliant women who were worried about standing and having their addresses published.

"I do think that women, especially, are disproportionately impacted."

Mr Fisher said he hoped the campaign would remove barriers to public life.

"Reform believes in meritocracy and removing unnecessary barriers," he said.

"I will be happy if this goes a small way to making things better."

He expressed his gratitude to the Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council electoral services team, saying: "They were absolutely superb with the advice and guidance that they gave on the current law and how any changes might work in practice. I am truly grateful and I think they do a wonderful job for Basingstoke residents."

The letter says electoral law should "protect people by design" instead of making candidates request privacy protection. It also wants agents to use party headquarters, campaign offices or email addresses as public contact details rather than their home addresses.

The letter says the campaign has support from the Jo Cox Foundation, Elect Her, the Local Government Association and people from across the political spectrum.

The signatories say the changes would preserve electoral transparency while reducing risks for people entering public life.