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Anyone seeking election as a politician can expect to have to argue their case with the electorate, and deal with opposition and criticism. But what happens when that democratic debate turns toxic and politicians face personal abuse, intimidation and threats of violence?

A recent report by the Jo Cox Foundation 鈥� named after the murdered British MP 鈥� warned that the abuse and intimidation of politicians is a "significant threat to democracy鈥�. With election campaigns being fought in several countries around the world, we bring together politicians in Canada, France and the UK to discuss some of their experiences of public office.

鈥淔or me some of the abuse and unpleasantness was really difficult,鈥� Heather Williams, a councillor in the east of England tells host Luke Jones. 鈥淚鈥檝e delivered leaflets, and somebody鈥檚 come out saying that they wanted to have a gun and pin me up against a wall and shoot me 鈥� that鈥檚 very scary when you鈥檝e got somebody very angry.鈥�

We also hear from a former senior politician, Catherine McKenna who served in the Canadian government, and her son Matt. They share some of the challenges they faced living family life under the political spotlight.

A Boffin Media Production in partnership with the 大象传媒 OS team.

(Photo: Canadian MP Pam Damoff. Credit: Pam Damoff)