Set an example in social media standards

Peterborough city councillor Shabina Qayyum has tabled a motion calling for the authority to take steps to combat the abuse of women in politics. There was a debate about whether that motion should be extended to all politicians which was ultimately carried by a narrow vote. There is no doubt that in the city many women politicians have been subjected to unacceptable abuse on social media and elsewhere. The debate on this between Labour Cllr Qayyum and her Conservative colleague Cllr Irene Walsh has been thoughtful and conducted in a mature way. In the same week we have seen a report commissioned by the city council looking at complaints against Labour councillor Ed Murphy by Tory David Seaton. It is common knowledge that the two simply don’t get on and their long-running spat has featured in the PT in the past. This unedifying spectacle - as the report states - does no-one involved any good. It simply serves to leave many - me included - aghast at the behaviour involved. Social media abuse and the targeting of individuals is becoming all too common. It often strays into the unacceptable and is far more than the ‘rough and tumble’ of political debate. Politicians should not have to face that - no-one should. Mature, challenging debate can be lost in the torrent of abuse that occasionally surfaces. The report published this week into the complaint against Cllr Murphy shows that some city councillors also need to be aware that they need to set an example.

>Mark Edwards

>@PT Mark Edwards