The first British female Sikh MP has spoken about how some social media sites have become “toxic” and called on tech bosses to do more to tackle the scourge of online hate.
Shadow Health Minister Preet Kaur Gill said MPs being “threatened, intimidated and harassed” must not become normal. The Labour MP also condemned protests outside politician’s homes as she said democracy must include debate.
Speaking about her experience on social media as she appeared on the Mirror’s YouTube show ‘Party Games’, she said: “I think some platforms have become much more toxic and they’re not doing enough to address hate, especially directed towards women.
“I think what we shouldn’t normalise is that it’s okay to be threatened, intimidated and harassed. I don’t think that’s great in terms of democracy. Democracies are about debating issues. You may not agree but there is a way of being able to talk about very difficult issues without having to shout at people or harass them in any way or say you’re going to come and protest outside their homes.”
In the episode, Ms Gill also discusses her journey to becoming an MP, including the influence of her father, and her former career as a social worker. She also talks about the importance of striking a balance between being a politician and being a mum to her two daughters.
Watch the Mirror’s new YouTube show Party Games as politicians spill secrets of being an MP
Join us for the Mirror’s new show Party Games as politicians spill the secrets of being an MP – while taking on the challenge of playing a well-known board game.
In the programme on the Mirror’s YouTube channel, familiar faces from across political spectrum will do battle with reporter Sophie Huskisson. At the same time they will face questions on who they are, what they stand for and why they became a politician.
In a relaxed tell-all chat over games including Kerplunk, Jenga and Snakes and Ladders, we hear about how they manage their work-life-balance, how they deal with social media trolls and about some of their worst and best times in Westminster.
Party Games is available now on the Mirror’s YouTube channel with new episodes every Monday at 6pm.
“They really ground me so when I come home, it’s like: ‘Mum, can you put the phone away? Can you spend time with us?’ And I do enjoy that. I love talking to them and hearing about the things that they do,” she said. “Having that quality time, building those memories is really tough and challenging because I’ve got a really big family as well.”
Ms Gill said she enjoys doing domestic chores and helping her children find lost items, adding: “It’s nice actually because you do want to switch off because it is all consuming, politics. I think just for your own sense of well-being, having time for yourself is really important. So the way I do that is finding a moment in the day where I can pray or I can listen to prayer, or I can just sit quietly for five minutes really helps.”
The latest episode of Party Games is available on the Mirror’s YouTube channel now.