America, Britain and other nations are “at war” against people trying to destroy democracies, Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle said on Monday.
He delivered the hard-hitting verdict after the attempted assassination attempt on Donald Trump.
“This is another attack on democracy. This is trying to see people influence the democratic process,” Sir Lindsay told Times Radio.
“Because they don't believe in the ballot box, they go to extreme measures, which is my biggest worry about the future of democracy.”
He added: “We've got to protect democracy. We've got to protect the candidates who put themselves forward. And the first thing I wanted to do was express my worries and concerns in sending a letter to the former President, also to the Speaker as well, to say, look, we are at war.
“We believe in the democratic process. We must never give in to the others who don't believe in our values.”
The Commons Speaker also told howthe parliamentary authorities are constantly trying to update security at Westminster.
A huge security operation is being put in place now for King Charles to travel from Buckingham Palace to Westminster for the State Opening of Parliament on Wednesday.
Sir Lindsay added: “Security measures are looked at all the time. There is a lot more than what you see.
“We don't stand still because we think we've got it right. That would be the wrong thing.
”Britain, with MI5, MI6, Scotland Yard and other police forces is one of the best in the world at what we do on security,” he continued.
“What I would say is around the House and what we do, of course, we're always updating. We're always looking for new ways forward. And part of that is going on at the moment. It never, ever stops.”
New Home Secretary Yvette Cooper also told of an “alarming rise in intimidation, harassment and abuse towards (general election) candidates, campaigners and volunteers from all parties which simply cannot be tolerated”.
Some of those incidents are now being investigated by the police.
Ms Cooper emphasised that “intimidating tactics“ must not be allowed to “silence voices, suppress votes or prevent free and full participation in our democratic processes”.
She added: “The disgraceful scenes we saw in some areas during this election campaign must not be repeated.
“That’s why I am convening and chairing a meeting of the Defending Democracy Taskforce next week to make sure public safety, security and standards in our democracy can be upheld.”
She is to meet MPs and candidates from all parties who faced intimidation, harassment and abuse during the election campaign.
The Home Office is conducting a rapid review of the general election campaign to understand the scale and nature of intimidation, harassment and abuse faced by candidates and volunteers.
It will also examine the level of protection provided by the police and other agencies during the campaign.
