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Watch your language
• REGARDING the proposed “improvements” to St Luke’s Gardens in Finsbury, Islington Council’s consultation is littered with flaws as it seems determined to carry out the proposed work even though there is opposition.
In March, the council and EC1 New Deal held a street consultation for three hours one afternoon, ensuring residents were at work and unable to be heard. I and another resident witnessed their focusing of attention on business people, those visiting the area and people passing through.
In fact, as residents we were overtly rebuffed and avoided by the representative of EC1 New Deal. Furthermore, at a meeting held by Dogs R Us Islington, it was unanimously agreed that the proposed work was not desired by all residents who attended.
Many residents did not receive the literature containing a questionnaire although they live in sight of St Luke’s. The council has decided to deliver this again. I must warn people that the council has used powerful linguistic techniques in this literature, designed to obtain a desired response.
Many of the words used appear innocuous but could be designed to obtain a specific outcome or result. I have been studying these powerful linguistic devices for 30 years. Linguistic patterns have been used by many unscrupulous people. More recently, President Barack Obama has been criticised by the American Medical Association for using them in campaign speeches.
Indeed, as a therapist I may only use them ethically but it appears the council may use them with impunity. Council officers have lost the argument if they choose to use linguistic devices to unfairly influence those they serve.
GEORGE TOPPING
Senior hypnotherapist and psychotherapist
EC1
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