Three weeks ago, I called a pause on social media in response to the vile and violent abuse my staff and I were receiving. We said we’d be back, on our own terms, when we were ready. We are ready.
We are starting by releasing this video, in the hope that people will see, hear, and feel just how sad and appalling this abuse is. We are making a plea for civilised conversation.
Warning: It is raw and it is ugly.
Social media can be a wonderful crucible of creativity and civilisation, of genuine progress.
But it can also be a cesspit of cruelty, where people for some reason write things they would never say to someone’s face.
So, we did. I can not imagine anyone watching this and thinking the behaviour is acceptable. It is not.
Most people are decent and courteous, even those who conceal their identity online. These past two years have been dreadfully tough for so many, and it is to be hoped the level of animosity will ease as people
Social media brings tremendous benefits; direct conversations with constituents, diffusion of ideas, listening to issues and concerns, communicating directly to the community.
We will be managing comments and can simply turn them off should we choose.
We will, of course, also continue to present our agenda, and our reform record, through traditional media.
ENDS
