As a local constituency MP, I see both the best and the worst of people.

Most of the time – especially here in Barnsley – it’s the best.

I’ve recently had the pleasure of meeting 89-year-old Rita, a tremendous force of nature who regularly volunteers at her local food bank.

This week, I’m meeting the new chair of Barnsley Hospice – where I’m proud to serve as patron – to see how I can best continue to support them.

The hospice’s staff, and the volunteers who give their time, are truly amazing. Their dedication and kindness are humbling. Like Rita, they represent the very best of us.

Yet sadly, being an MP also means seeing the worst of people.

Every day, and I mean every day, my inbox fills with messages from constituents who need help – and my team and I are very proud to do our very best to help them.

Yet alongside those genuine requests, there is a darker side. I receive horrendous abuse over email. Some of it tries (and fails) to intimidate. Some of it is libellous. All of it is unacceptable.

I thought about including some examples in this column – but they probably wouldn’t get published.

Facebook and X can be even worse.

Online abuse is unacceptable when it comes from the cowardly keyboard warriors who seem to think that they can say whatever they like because they can hide behind the safety of their own screen.

It’s also unacceptable when it comes from fake accounts that do all they can to provoke anger and spread misinformation.

Let me be clear: I have zero tolerance for abuse directed at my staff. They work tirelessly to support people across Barnsley – often in very difficult circumstances. They should never be subjected to intimidation or harassment for simply doing their jobs.

But this isn’t just about my team and me. Across the political spectrum, MPs – and their staff, as well as local councillors – are facing increasing levels of abuse.

That’s why, as Security Minister, I chair the Defending Democracy Taskforce. Our mission is to protect the integrity of our democratic institutions and ensure that those who serve in public life can do so without fear.

We’re working across government to tackle online abuse, counter disinformation, and strengthen protections for elected representatives.

But this isn’t just a job for government. It’s a job for all of us.

Because we’ve seen where this can lead. In recent years, two MPs – Jo Cox and David Amess = have been murdered by violent extremists.

So we must call out abuse when we see it. We must challenge those who seek to divide us with hate and misinformation. And we must remember that behind every MP, local councillor, or campaigner is a human being – with feelings and a family.

As my friend Jo said in her maiden speech to Parliament: “We are far more united and have far more in common with each other than things that divide us.”

She was right then. Let’s prove her right now.