Councillor urging authorities to leave Elon Musk's X due to 'hostile' environment
A Derbyshire councillor is urging local authorities to cut all ties with Elon Musk's X due to its "hostile" environment. Councillor Tania Stevenson, who represents Borrowash East on Ockbrook & Borrowash Parish Council, is asking public bodies to sign a memorandum to send a "clear message" that they will not support platforms that "fail to protect users from abuse and bigotry."
Cllr Stevenson, who is UK's only independent trans councillor, says she has been subject to "vile" and "sickening" abuse on the site in recent years - and says she had warned others about the app "months" before the issues became known to the wider public. A number of authorities across the UK, including Derbyshire police, have confirmed they would be reducing their usage of the platform in recent weeks.
Speaking on why she believes authorities should leave X, which was formerly known as Twitter, Cllr Stevenson said: "The abuse I would get on a daily basis is just indescribable; I don't feel comfortable repeating it at all; it's sickening, to be honest. Public authorities have a responsibility to uphold and promote Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) principles in all areas of their operations. Continued involvement with Twitter/X, a platform that has become increasingly associated with hate speech, intolerance, and bigotry, undermines these values.
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"Despite claims of moderation, Twitter/X has consistently failed to adequately address harmful content that targets marginalised groups based on race, gender, sexuality, religion, and other protected characteristics. This creates a hostile online environment that contradicts the inclusive, respectful atmosphere public authorities strive to foster in society."
She has launched a petition and is asking people to sign a letter titled 'The Stevenson memorandum", with hopes that Derby City Council, Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service and other local bodies will leave the site. "Public authorities are entrusted with creating safe, accessible spaces for everyone," Cllr Stevenson added.
"By maintaining a presence on a platform where discriminatory behaviour is prevalent and under-regulated, they risk legitimising or indirectly supporting the harmful narratives that thrive there. This is not only inconsistent with EDI commitments but also erodes public trust in the authority’s dedication to these values.
"Furthermore, public authorities have a duty of care towards their staff, stakeholders, and the communities they serve. Exposure to hate speech and harassment can have severe psychological impacts, creating barriers to participation, especially for individuals from vulnerable or underrepresented groups."
She says that authorities should find other suitable platforms, whether it be Facebook, Instagram - or even BlueSky, an app launched in recent months that operates similarly to X but has heavier moderation. "I'm confident that action will be taken," she added.
"It takes a cycle of government rotation to get things done, and there is a realisation that now is the time for change. There are a lot of local authorities that are Labour-run around here, and they will have seen the abuse to various colleagues, but unfortunately, sometimes things need to hit close to home before you truly listen - and I think we are turning a corner now."
Derbyshire Live attempted to contact X for comment.