IN recent times the members of the ruling Labour group in the City Chambers have had more than enough to occupy their minds.

First there was the small matter of the SNP snapping up all but three of the Scottish seats in Westminster.

That caused quiet panic among the group used to being able to run Glasgow's affairs without any serious interference from other political parties.

The dust on the Nationalist's historic victory had not yet settled when the city council Labour group was hit with another shock.

Present leader Gordon Matheson announced he had put his name forward for deputy leader of Scottish Labour.

And he told his colleagues he would pass on the reins of power to a new leader to be chosen at the group's next annual general meeting which is likely to be early next year.

That sparked internal warfare within the group with the various factions fighting to gain as many backers as possible.

When the council went into its summer recess it seemed our elected representatives could take a welcome break from the uncertain world of politics.

With the exception of Mr Matheson who has been travelling the country trying to persuade members to chose him as their second-in-command in Scotland.

However, a further shock was in store which nobody could have predicted.

The decision by left winger Jeremy Corbyn to stand against Andy Burnham, Yvette Cooper and Liz Kendall for the job of Labour Party leader was ridiculed in many quarters.

Many suggested his victory would result in the death of Labour and as a result predicted his chances of getting the job were non-existent.

Pollsters found the public did not agree and Mr Corbyn is now romping ahead of the rest of the pack in the leadership contest.

Coping with the impact of the SNP victory, Mr Matheson's resignation as council leader and Mr Corbyn's determination to be UK would have been more than enough for our Labour councillors at the best of times but they are facing an election in less than two years the outcome of which looks more uncertain with every passing day.

And then along comes former Aberdeen District Council leader Lord Sewel who found himself the star of a series of less than flattering photographs in virtually every newspaper in the country.

To make matters worse, the Labour Peer was deputy speaker of the House of Lords in charge of upholding standards.

Ouch.

Exactly what our Labour councillors could do without given they will soon all be fighting for their political lives in the hope of returning to their offices in the City Chambers.