Liberal Vision

Facebook undermines democracy…

If you didn’t laugh you’d cry…

A COUNCILLOR has been told he will not be re-selected for next year’s elections after posting a ‘How Sexy Am I’ quiz on Facebook.

Councillor Geoff Courtenay, 64, (Con) who represents the Brunel ward in Uxbridge was informed that his postings constituted ‘inappropriate material’.

Posting on Facebook, councillor Courtenay filled out a ‘How Sexy Am I’ quiz, which told him he was ‘93 per cent sexy’.

Posting below it, Courtenay wrote: “Why are they saying 93 per cent? I demand a recount, I want 100 per cent.”

It continues…

In a letter from Christopher White, Conservative group chairman, Councillor Courtenay was told: “The selection panel had several concerns when interviewing you, there is the issue of your lack of judgement over inappropriate material being placed by you on your social networking site Facebook.

“With deep regret, we have decided not to re-select you as a Council Candidate for the 2010 Council Elections.”

Luckily Liberal Vision’s Tom Papworth came to rescue them from their folly:

WITH reference to your story: Councillor too sexy for the Tories, (Uxbridge and West Drayton Gazette, September 9) I would like to draw your attention to the similar experience of Tory Councillor Gordon Jenkins of the London Borough of Bromley.

He also had a Facebook site that was covered in sexual commentary and applications that drew the attention of the local press.

At the time, I commented that there is a lot of rubbish on Facebook that one can sign up to in a lighthearted second, that makes one’s Facebook site look puerile. However, councillors should be judged on their work and not on frivolous activities on a social networking site.

Irrespective of my desire to see the Conservatives ousted from Bromley Council, I am glad that this did not have any more significant impact.

I think the decision by Uxbridge Conservatives is appalling and shows what a bunch of narrow-minded puritans they are.