Labour MP Tulip Siddiq has delivered a heart-wrenching account of the daily fear she lives with, revealing she keeps her children physically close during the school run due to the ever-present terror threat. The shadow minister for children and early years has spoken out with raw emotion about the chilling reality facing public figures and their families.
Ms Siddiq, the MP for Hampstead and Kilburn, is now under the protection of a dedicated security team—a stark consequence of the escalating abuse and intimidation directed at MPs. She has become a powerful voice advocating for the new £31 million security package designed to safeguard elected representatives.
A Mother's Fear: The School Run Under Threat
The most poignant part of her testimony centres on her role as a mother. She described the profound anxiety that now accompanies the most routine of family activities. "I have two small children and I take them to school and nursery," she shared. "I am very conscious that I am a high-profile person who has been mentioned by terrorists."
This constant vigilance has fundamentally altered her behaviour. "I don't let my children run ahead of me. I keep them very close," she confessed, highlighting the painful trade-off between public service and private safety.
Backing The New Security Measures
Ms Siddiq threw her full support behind the government's new funding, which will provide MPs with a range of safety options. These include private security guards for their constituency surgeries, the installation of panic buttons in their homes, and the provision of emergency training.
Her advocacy stems from personal experience. She revealed that her own constituency office has already been fortified with security upgrades, a necessary step in the current climate. Her powerful intervention in the House of Commons served to underscore that the threat is not abstract—it is a daily reality for those in public life.
The Human Cost of Public Service
Beyond the policy, Ms Siddiq's story is a sobering reminder of the human cost borne by politicians and their families. Her candid disclosure provides a rare glimpse into the personal sacrifices made behind the scenes of democracy.
Her message is clear: ensuring the safety of elected officials is not a perk but a fundamental requirement to protect democracy itself, allowing MPs to continue serving their communities without living in fear.
