Tweet reflects poorly on new council leader

Social media has changed the way the world operates. It has changed how we digest our news and how we connect with people.

It can be a wonderful tool to interact with people of the same, and differing, opinions.

But there comes a responsibility when using it, and that applies doubly to our elected politicians.

South Lanarkshire Council leader, John Ross, has only been in the role a matter of weeks but already finds himself at the centre of controversy caused by a tweet he sent last week.

Talking about Jackie Baillie MSP, he said: “Awa an bile yer he’d wuman ye talk pure mince.”

The tweet was immediately jumped upon by other users of the website. They said it was disrespectful, and, in focussing on Ms Baillie’s gender, sexist.

Councillor Ross has a responsibility, as leader of South Lanarkshire Council, to act in a manner that befits the role. I hope he would agree that he has fallen short of that on this occassion.

You can read our full story on the row on page nine.

There was some good news this week when it was revealed Cambuslang Jobcentre had been given a reprieve.

Cambuslang has endured more than its fair share of facilities moving out of town, so it was a relief to see the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) have a change of heart. Credit must go to former MP Margaret Ferrier who campaigned strongly to keep the centre open.

The onus now falls on Gerard Killen MP to continue to make the case for Cambuslang as the DWP continue to change the way benefits are administered. You can read what they all had to say on page four.