IT’S often been said that the Scottish Labour leadership can be rather out-of-touch.
That has been handily demonstrated by the party falling further and further into irrelevance due to its intransigence on indyref2, in loyalty to the Precious Union.
It looks like it’s not just the leadership who have trouble reading a room – in North Lanarkshire, it’s the council group too.
North Lanarkshire Council (NLC) is run by a minority Labour administration.
As we reported today, by reviving the Better Together spirit and teaming up with the Tories, the party has just overturned a ban in the area on hugely controversial weedkillers that use glyphosate.
Glyphosate has sparked massive rows with uncertainty over its impact on biodiversity, bees and even humans. Scientific research has been plentiful and ongoing.
An NLC spokesperson told us: “The council took into account the draft risk assessment prepared by international scientists for the European Union which concluded that glyphosate is not carcinogenic, genotoxic or toxic to reproduction.”
The SNP hit back that the “jury is still out” with many glyphosate-free alternatives stocked by retailers.
However, so starved of electoral successes are Scottish Labour, they couldn’t resist turning to Twitter to gloat with a fancy graphic about reversing a ban on a weedkiller that might kill bees.
The NorthLan Labour group wrote: “CONFIRMED: Labour overturn the SNP’s decision to ban weedkiller in North Lanarkshire.”
“CONFIRMED” was, of course, written in an appropriately egregious font.
It didn’t go down well.
Twitter users got to work mocking the ridiculous message. We’ll let social media speak for itself:
Yet another reason to not vote Labour. As a beekeeper, I can inform you that this is an environmental disaster. https://t.co/xgLTKhX0pY
— 🐉John Sellars🐲 🏴 (@John_Sellars) August 22, 2021
When your political 'brag' gets ratioed (and deservedly).
— J. R. Tomlin (@JRTomlinAuthor) August 22, 2021
This is a disappointing development. In this context "effective" means highly toxic to all animal and plant life.
— Dr Paul Monaghan (@_PaulMonaghan) August 22, 2021
Highly toxic weedkillers destroy green spaces and quickly find their way into ecosystems, including rivers and streams, which is why many countries have banned them. https://t.co/8OG83L5Vd7
Labour used to weigh their votes, now they celebrate using weed killer. https://t.co/JW6RrQkrut
— Guffers (@gavmacn) August 22, 2021
That is utterly disastrous. You’re a bloody disgrace. You sound like a bunch of ignorant twats clueless about biodiversity. Way to go - kill the flora and fauna. Irresponsible nonsense
— Lmr (@LassieLmr) August 20, 2021
To overturn the glyphosate ban is bad enough but to then publicise this as a positive to 'get green spaces back on track' shows breathtaking ignorance of environmental issues. @AnasSarwar @ScottishLabour is this Scottish Labour policy?? https://t.co/FHsPTM19Nv
— Alan Millar (@ajm500) August 22, 2021
giving dogs cancer to own the nats excellent work comrades
— come out ye simps and stans (@GibleyMcribly) August 21, 2021
You are aware that pollinator species are on the verge of collapsing?
— Simone (@cee4cat) August 21, 2021
“Right lads. Cheers to us for putting right that poncy ‘no weed killer’ ‘save the bees’ policy.”
— Ken (@kenmccoll) August 22, 2021
Actual footage from North Lanarkshire Labour council who think they’re still in the 1970s. pic.twitter.com/2GlWQYoZhO
First alpacas and now bees. Is any species safe from Labour's campaign of destruction? https://t.co/Oi5t7c5M33
— Mr Socko (@laotianrockrat) August 21, 2021
Wooo look at us we support pollution and poisoning insects. That's really isn't a good look. There's no progressive alliance that contains Lab #ProgressiveAlliance
— Thig ar latha. Tak tent, caw canny. (@ron_mould) August 21, 2021
Are you actually happy about this?
— Ben Clarkson🏴 (@BenclarksonSNP) August 20, 2021
you know this is not a good thing right? You're not doing it right if you can't get your 'green spaces' back without using chemicals to destroy the green things.
— Seòras MacKay (@Sheorais) August 20, 2021
Tough on Biodiversity, Tough on the causes of Biodiversity.!
— BeicwrGuillaume (@beicwrtaff) August 20, 2021
Why? Seriously, why? Cutting off your nose to spite your face isn’t a good look, what a waste of money at the expense of the environment.
— JoMcD 🏴Goddess of NL🏴 (@jomcd70) August 21, 2021
Evidence clearly points to weed killer being dangerous to pollinators https://t.co/VtoS1rI3cp
— Alex Johnstone (@alexjohnstone01) August 21, 2021
But we’ll done guys!!! Who needs bees & pollinators anyway when you can be SNPBAD
You can't save green spaces if you're killing the eco-biome.
— Autist na h-Alba - The Fry Airer (@Easy_As_He_Him) August 20, 2021
Well done on killing wildlife in the hopes that you'll get some grass to grow.
We know Scottish Labour will be jealous of the greens this week... but surely this is a bit much?
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