GO BACK a few decades and most of our politicians were held in high esteem, whether you agreed with them or not.

Yet it seems the ongoing debate about Brexit has changed all that with cheap shots and slanging matches on social media seemingly the order of the day from Members of Parliament on both sides of the House.

Social media is a wonderful thing but it also has a lot to answer for and that includes in the political arena.

The Brexit debate appears set to run and run, especially after Prime Minister Theresa May’s spectacular defeat in the Commons on Tuesday evening.

But wouldn’t it be uplifting to hear eminent debate from our politicians rather than sound bites and bile delivered on a regular basis?

Many politicians use social media to air their views, which is fine, until responses start getting personal.

This was most recently exemplified when Hugh Merriman, the Conservative Member of Parliament for Bexhill and Battle, had a dig at Hove’s Labour MP Peter Kyle on Twitter.

It seems Mr Merriman took exception to Mr Kyle praising Sky News’ deputy political editor Beth Rigby for her coverage of Tuesday night’s vote on Mrs May’s crushing defeat.

Fair enough, but why couch it in such an unnecessary manner?

Politicians should set an example for others to follow but standards are sadly not what they used to be.

Of course everyone wants to see Brexit resolved one way or the other but it is to be hoped it can be done with a certain degree of civility.