North London MP Mike Freer Announces Intention to Step Down Due to Safety Concerns

Mike Freer, the Conservative Member of Parliament (MP) for Finchley and Golders Green in north London, has announced his intention to step down at the next general election. The decision comes after a series of death threats and an arson attack on his constituency office.

Freer, who has been a justice minister and MP since 2010, wrote in a letter to his local Conservative association that it would be an “enormous wrench” to leave his position. However, the attacks had “weighed heavily” on him and his husband, Angelo.

The fire at Freer’s north London office on Christmas Eve was later determined to be an arson attack. Freer and his staff had also decided to wear stab vests when attending public events in his constituency after learning that Ali Harbi Ali, who went on to kill Southend West MP Sir David Amess in 2021, had watched Freer’s Finchley office before the attack.

Freer, who has pro-Israel views and represents a heavily Jewish constituency, told the Daily Mail that “I don’t think we can divorce antisemitism from the intimidation.” He won his seat by about 6,600 votes at the 2019 General Election, defeating a Liberal Democrat challenger.

Freer is the latest in a series of MPs who have announced their intention not to contest the next election, which is expected later this year. Sarah Sackman, Labour’s candidate for his constituency, expressed her shock at the news and lamented that “politics is now so often skewed by violent language, hate and the dangers of social media.”

Tory former minister Sir Conor Burns posted on social media that it was a “totally understandable decision” and added that “the drip drip of hate (not exclusively from people on the other side) and remorseless cynicism will drive more people out of politics.”

On Christmas Eve, a fire was started at Freer’s constituency office in north London. The London Fire Brigade was called to the scene, and two people were arrested in connection with the incident.

In October 2023, two new bus routes were announced by Transport for London, which would serve Harrow and Walthamstow from North Finchley. The new routes were intended to improve links between these areas.

In September 2023, a list of 17 London schools was named by the government as having problem concrete, and they were told to close areas containing the material unless it was made safe.

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Freer’s decision to step down comes at a time when political violence and intimidation have become increasingly common in the UK. In 2021, Sir David Amess was killed during a constituency surgery, and in 2016, Labour MP Jo Cox was murdered while campaigning in her constituency. The rise of social media and the use of violent language have been cited as contributing factors to this trend.

Freer’s constituency, Finchley and Golders Green, is a diverse area with a large Jewish population. The area has seen a rise in antisemitic incidents in recent years, and Freer has been a vocal advocate for combating antisemitism. In 2020, he spoke out against a mural in the area that was deemed antisemitic and called for it to be removed.

Freer’s decision to step down is a significant one, as he has been a prominent figure in north London politics for over a decade. His departure will leave a vacancy in the constituency, and the upcoming election is expected to be a closely contested one.

In conclusion, Mike Freer’s decision to step down as MP for Finchley and Golders Green due to safety concerns is a significant development in north London politics. The attacks he has faced, including death threats and an arson attack on his constituency office, have taken a toll on him and his family. The rise of political violence and intimidation, as well as the use of violent language on social media, have contributed to this trend. Freer’s departure leaves a vacancy in the constituency, and the upcoming election is expected to be a closely contested one. The BBC will continue to cover this story and provide updates as they become available.