No winners in petty squabble

DUNDONIANS who took the time and trouble to go out and vote in the local elections earlier this year are entitled to expect a certain level of decorum from the people they entrusted to represent them on the city council (see page 9).

And they have every right to view the current petty squabble between SNP member Gregor Murray and Labour rivals with utter disdain.

Councillor Murray — the local authority’s children and families services convener — felt the need to take to Twitter and mangle a line from classic sitcom Father Ted to mock colleagues after a discussion about early years care for youngsters.

They, of course, have responded with suitable outrage and are now planning to clipe to Councillor Murray’s boss, local authority leader John Alexander.

This truly is playground stuff, from which no one emerges with any credit but, to be fair to the Labour members, Councillor Murray least of all.

The North East member clearly enjoys courting controversy — it’s not that long ago Councillor Murray riled members of a women’s group by referrring to them as “absolute roasters” in another Twitter outburst.

The councillor is not the first politician to use intemperate language — or poke fun at rivals — via social media.

But councillors, MSPs and MPs, and indeed presidents, should rememember that the office they hold should not be used as a platform to indulge their own egos.

They are there to serve the people who elected them, and tackle the issues which affect their communities — and a penchant for indulging in Twitter spats will definitely not be a vote-winner when the next election arrives.