A council leader has criticised councillors for engaging in 'childish behaviour' on social media, urging focus on governance instead
A council leader has hit out at “online squabbles” and “childish behaviour” between councillors after a string of social media spats drew criticism from residents.
Zoe Huggins BEM, Conservative leader of Gosport Borough Council, addressed the issue during a full council meeting on July 15, distancing her administration from claims of political alliances while urging members to focus on governance.
She said: “To be clear, there is no formal coalition agreement and no joint administration between the Conservative Group and the Reform UK Group.”
Her comments come amid growing concern over public disagreements between Reform UK and Liberal Democrat councillors in Gosport, played out across social media.
Councillor Huggins acknowledged the online exchanges but made clear her position on the tone of political debate.
She said: “I am aware that a variety of comments have been made on social media by members of different political parties.
“I would simply say this: I am not interested in personal attacks or online squabbles, and cartoon AI-generated games, nor would it appear that more of our residents are. There is a job to be done.”
Gosport Borough Council leader Peter Chegwyn.
She added that leadership requires accountability, particularly when difficult decisions are made.
Cllr Huggins added: “Governing and leading means accepting responsibility for every decision the administration makes and doing the best with the hand we have been dealt.
“Other political online claims of ownership and achievement of decisions when they are popular, whilst distancing themselves when difficult decisions must be made, are misleading.”
Residents have also raised concerns about councillors’ conduct.
One Gosport resident contacted local media to criticise the tone of recent exchanges.
The resident, who did not want to be named, said: “I’m honestly shocked to see this level of childish behaviour from councillors, and the back-and-forth ‘he started it’ nature of the posts is better suited to the playground than local government.
“Their childish behaviour and public bickering are bringing local politics in Gosport into disrepute.”
Cllr Peter Chegwyn, leader of the Gosport Liberal Democrats, said Reform UK “have dragged political debate in Gosport into the gutter”.
He said residents are sick of “political mud-slinging” and called time on the tactics.
He said: “The personal abuse from Reform directed at all members of the Liberal Democrat group, past and present, has been sickening to behold.”
But Cllr Paul Carter, leader of Reform Gosport, said the party is having to correct false claims posted on social media by Cllr Chegwyn.
He said: “We will not hesitate to set the record straight whenever mistruths are published.
“The tone of the chamber has changed considerably since the election in May.
“We want the best possible outcomes for our residents, which means sitting down, discussing the severe issues facing the council, working on practical solutions, and voting accordingly.”
https://www.portsmouth.co.uk/news/politics/council-leader-social-media-spats-8814081
