Plymouth Labour has apparently reacted with disappointment to the decision by Barry Keel, the Chief Executive of Plymouth City Council, to ban councillors from using Twitter.
But does he have a point? Inspired by PRSD citizen Bill Bailey’s comments, we decided to see what vital council information is being imparted on Twitter.
Councillor Tudor Evans
‘It is worrying that a Council has banned democratically elected Councillors from communicating the political process in Plymouth.’
On @councillortudor:
‘Just seen The Hangover. C’mon, we’ve all had a night like that…’
‘Approaching Totnes. Is that Antony Steen’s house? Boy, am I jealous!’
‘Who were the dance troupe from last years BGT?’
‘Nazi nobjockey trying to stop the merger. So far hes got slow handclapped and ironic claps when he sat down.’
Councillor Bill Stevens
‘Not even the repressive regime in Tehran, seen as byword for tyranny, can stop Iranians using Twitter in their struggle for democracy, but Plymouth City Council are so paranoid they cannot bare to have any unwelcome views heard.’
On @councillorbill:
‘When will England find a bowling attack that can take 20 West Indian wickets?’
‘I wonder if Vivien Pengelly will find this tweet offensive!!!!’
‘So Plymouth City Council has now been joined by the Islamic Republic of Iran in blocking Facebook!!!!’
Councillor Nicky Wildy
‘At a time where there is such pressure from the public to open up politics I am surprised that the Council would want to ban Twitter.’
On @councillornicky:
‘Wasnt it pretentious crap’
‘If a man ‘indecently’ exposes himself – how does he do it ‘decently’? Just a thought.’
‘Loving Len Cohen on BBC4. This was my youth – such melancholy + great sax’
’12 weeks – off pills – lots of gurus – sound method – no fags! Can’t believe it! Have I really stopped smoking?’
So, there you have it. Hoisted by their own petards, non? We’d like to give the councillors the benefit of the doubt and say that these smug, jokey tweets are few and far between but we can’t because they’re not.
Notice thought that we’ve not mentioned @lukepollard and @alisonseabeck – that’s because, as with the expenses scandal, there are exceptions to the rule. Seabeck especially offers an excellent and informative Twitter page, and it’s easy to see why Pollard is the tenth most influential Labour person on Twitter.
But what do you think? Have we missed anyone out? Should councillors be able to tweet their views with impunity? Comments below please.
Come and enjoy Devon – book a hotel and get away!
