Council leader’s tweet is simply poor politics

Hello and welcome to this week’s edition of the East Kilbride News.

It’s fair to say that there is not much love lost between those of different political persuasions when debate begins on social media.

Outlets such as Twitter and Facebook can be unforgiving places for those who wish to offer an opinion.

At best, it can be hostile. At worst, it can be tantamount to bullying.

Scotland has changed since the campaign ahead of the indpedence referendum in September 2014. And not in a good way. Tolerance of others’ political views is rare and folk tend to stick with the people who share their own outlook.

Pick a side, for there is no middle ground. We are poorer for it.

On page 9 of today’s paper, South Lanarkshire Council leader, the SNP’s John Ross finds himself in what is usually described a “twitter storm”.

In response to a post containing a quote from Labour’s MSP for Dumbarton Jackie Baillie, he signs off by telling her to “awa an bile yer he’d wuman ye talk pure mince”. Firstly, it’s ‘heid’ not ‘he’d. Secondly, will a translation be provided for those who simply don’t understand that mish-mash of words?

And thirdly, are we not entitled to expect better from the head of one of the biggest local authorities in Scotland?

I interviewed Councillor Ross a few weeks ago and he came across as a decent chap. I wished him all the best.

Perhaps this tweet was a momentary lapse; we all make mistakes.

Criticism of Councillor Ross isn’t about political correctness or restricting freedom of speech. It is about an elected member upholding the gravitas of office and setting an example to us all. Colin Paterson