I wrote a thing in my newsletter about the Local Government Association (LGA), which apparently issues an annual list of words and phrases that local authorities should avoid using. This year it included 'uplifting' (presumably not in relation to a jolly good hymn), 'capturing' (ditto escaped zoo animals) and 'safeguarding' (no idea). I had never given much thought to the the activity or point of the LGA, but this cast a positive light. Sadly it dimmed after only a couple of clicks, when I reached the 'About LGA' section of their website:
"We work closely with our member authorities [...] to deliver our shared vision of an independent and confident local government sector where local priorities drive public service improvement in every city, town and village and every councillor acts as a champion for their ward and the people they represent."
It's good to know that ridding the world of jargon is all about delivering a shared vision, driving improvement and acting as a champion.
But it's depressing to realise that this gibberish has become so commonplace that it is now invisible, even to an organisation that campaigns against it.
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