Satvir Kaur, a newly elected Member of Parliament (MP) who previously served as a councillor for 13 years, has opened up about the “extreme” online abuse she has encountered since winning her seat in the recent general election. Kaur, who became the MP for Southampton Test, expressed her concerns regarding the misogynistic and racist hate she has faced almost daily since taking office.

In an interview with a local radio station, Kaur reflected on the challenges women in politics often face. She acknowledged that while some level of online abuse is expected for public figures, the intensity and frequency of the attacks she has received have been overwhelming. Kaur described the experience as one that makes politicians feel “sub-human,” despite their intentions to create positive changes in their communities. She mentioned that while she received some negative comments during her time as a councillor and as leader of the council, the vitriol has escalated since she became an MP.

Despite the negative impact of the abuse, Kaur conveyed that it motivates her to continue her work. She aims to inspire others from underrepresented backgrounds, particularly young women of color, by demonstrating that it is possible to achieve political office. She emphasized her commitment to a zero-tolerance policy on her social media platforms, swiftly blocking anyone who engages in abusive behavior or makes personal attacks.

Kaur also noted that while she sometimes feels compelled to respond to the hateful comments, she consciously tries to refrain from doing so to avoid giving the negativity more attention. Her approach is to focus on her constituents, who have expressed significant concern about issues related to hate crime, and she is determined not to contribute to the cycle of hate that exists online.

Through her advocacy and resilience in the face of such hostility, Kaur hopes to pave the way for others to enter politics, showing that they, too, can overcome adversity and make a meaningful impact in their communities.