I can’t help feeling that the use of the word ‘respect’ by the government is going a little too far.
For example I learn from the most recent issue of LAG magazine that there is not only a ‘Respect committee’ on the cabinet, but also a ‘Respect Team’, and a ‘Respect Squad’ (ten senior practitioners who can be ‘called in’ to help local agencies tackle anti social behaviour). When I first read this I did wonder if LAG were having us on, but sadly it appears not.
By the way, the respect boys are getting tough – plans have been announced to cut housing benefit for households evicted for anti social behviour who refuse to engage in rehabilitation. Pwhah!
That happened in June. On 17 August The Respect Standard for Housing Management was launched, announced here, and landlords can sign up to it here. I wonder how many have.
There is even a ‘Respect’ website. I suppose it is an attempt to make contact with the disaffected, which ought to be a good thing, but somehow everything this government does is tainted by spin, and nobody really believes anything any more.
But I still love the song by Aretha Franklin. Listen to Aretha here, performed by Pomme and Kelly. Respect!