Candidate Withdraws After Son Harassed
A mother who founded an anti-bullying initiative following her daughter's death has withdrawn from a Pembrokeshire council by-election after her teenage son was subjected to verbal abuse.
Nicola Harteveld stepped down as a candidate in the Milford Haven Hakin ward by-election after two men, estimated to be in their 40s or 50s, shouted at her 14-year-old son near their home. The men used an expletive to describe Harteveld's candidacy for Welsh Labour.
Background of Campaign and Incident
Harteveld established the Megan's Starr Foundation after her daughter’s suicide in 2017. The foundation supports young people affected by mental health challenges or bullying.
The by-election is scheduled for 17 March. Dyfed-Powys Police confirmed that "enquiries into the incident are ongoing."
"I've spent nine years spreading the message of be kind, that words hurt, but my family has to come first," Harteveld said.
On 20 February, the men verbally targeted her son, using an offensive swear word to label Harteveld as "Labour loving."
"This was a jeer from two so-called men to a child," she stated.
"Regardless of intention people don't understand words can hurt and can do damage.
My son was really frightened."
Harteveld explained that her son initially did not disclose the incident, fearing it might cause her to withdraw from the election.
"I don't mind if it's directed at myself because I put myself forward, but I didn't put my children forward," she added.
"With this happening when my son was also 14, the similarity [to Megan] was too much."
She made the decision to withdraw before beginning her campaign.
"If that's people's mindset where they can say on the street to someone, to a child, words like that then I'm not prepared for my family to be subject to that," Harteveld said.
She expressed surprise at encountering such behaviour, noting her belief that councillors focus on community issues rather than party politics.
Political Background and Motivations
Harteveld had served as a town councillor in Milford Haven for three years and recognized the need for "broad shoulders" to run as a Welsh Labour candidate in a county council election.
She was encouraged to stand after the Welsh Labour First Minister Eluned Morgan visited her charity.
Following the passing of Mike Stoddart, who held the Hakin ward seat since 2004, Harteveld put her name forward to contest the by-election.
She believes that experiences like hers discourage women from participating in politics.
"These kinds of things stop really good candidates from coming forward," she said.
"It makes me really frustrated that there are fantastic women all over the country and we need women in politics."
'Harassment and Intimidation'
A Welsh Labour spokesperson commented:
"As a party, Welsh Labour is saddened that Nicola has had to take the decision due to abuse directed at her and her family. That's not politics, it's intimidation.
Welsh Labour does not condone harassment and intimidation of any political candidate, elected representative or their families.
This incident has been reported to Dyfed-Powys Police and it has been logged as a criminal offence of harassment. Police investigations are under way."
The spokesperson added that politics should focus on "ideas and service to our communities, not personal attacks or abuse."
"We should be encouraging more people to stand, not driving them away," they said.
The women's rights organisation Merched Cymru stated:
"Democracy relies upon our being able to engage in public debate and discussion without personal attacks and harassment, and women's representation in politics is vital for an equal society.
No political candidate should have to put up with this, but women in public life face particularly high levels of abuse.
This harassment aims to silence women. It's particularly disturbing to hear of abuse of a child being used to attack a female politician."
Other Candidates in the By-Election
Other candidates standing in the by-election include Sam Booth from the Wales Green Party, Welsh Conservative Brian Taylor, Scott Thorley from Reform UK, Welsh Liberal Democrat Sam Warden, and three independents: Derrick Abbott, Lee James Bridges, and Duncan Edwards.
