LIKE many people I had a conversation this week with a colleague about the councillors in Renfrew-shire who set alight a copy of the Smith Agreement.

We were discussing which words could best describe their actions and after much thought the most accurate in my opinion was 'stupid.'

It's by far not the worst act committed by a salaried elected representative, but in terms of disrespect for colleagues who took part in the commission process, disregard for the opinions of those who voted no and who might agree with the proposals, which includes many of their constituents, burning a copy was certainly far from sensible.

Now, I doubt any of them were ever destined for high office, but Nicola Sturgeon's swift condemnation and suspension probably spells the end of their otherwise unremarkable political careers. I am struggling to recall their names even now, and won't waste time looking them up because they will be remembered only as the three idiots who burned the Smith Commission report.

I have written previously about my dislike for burning things, and whether it is effigies or documents you don't agree with, it is disrespectful and in some cases sinister. Although in this instance it was just plain stupid.

They are also not the first to embarrass their party and the members of the public they represent.

Bill Walker, Eric Joyce, Mike Watson and Jim Devine are a few whose misdemeanours, which were greater, have landed them on the wrong side of the law. But these people didn't become stupid, violent, abusive, fascinated by fire or greedy once they were elected or it is at least very unlikely they did.

So, it is up to us and to the parties to pay closer attention to candidates before we elect them.

For some of those mentioned, because of big parliamentary majorities the biggest battle they faced was winning the party nomination in the first place. Then, people simply vote for the party not the person and have no idea who they have handed power and responsibility to.

It also means we end up with those whose personal ambition is greater than their desire to serve, travelling the country looking for a seat to represent, because they want to be a politician more than anything else.

One of the successes of the referendum was the return of the town hall debate. If we get, and take, the opportunity to see and hear from the candidates in person we might get a glimpse of something not quite right about them, which will force the parties to take greater care during the selection process.

Every time a politician makes a fool of himself and of his constituents I hear people ask "How did he manage to get elected?"

Because the rest of us weren't paying enough attention. That's why.