More than half of candidates in England’s 2026 local and mayoral elections say harassment or intimidation was a problem, with women, ethnic minority and disabled candidates hit harder. The Electoral Commission warns the abuse is changing how people campaign. Truth Vs Hate examines the line between fierce democratic criticism and intimidation, the online outrage economy and what happens when fear starts deciding who feels able to stand for office.

Wes Streeting says the volume of homophobic abuse since becoming Britain’s first openly gay Defence Secretary has been extraordinary. Yet his appointment was also treated as almost unremarkable. Progress and backlash are happening at the same time. Britain can move forward and backwards at the same time. Wes Streeting becoming the country’s first openly gay Defence Secretary is a striking example. In one sense, his appointment passed with remarkably little.