IN HER recent Guardian series, Sara Dixon paints an intriguing picture of our pipe-smoking, no-nonsense council leader, Keith Axon.

The Redbridge leader's vision to date doesn't go much beyond getting rid of potholes and graffiti. He is at odds with Mr Duncan Smith about positive discrimination to get more women and ethnic minorities into Parliament.

Needless to say, Cllr Axon has the by now traditional Tory councillor swipe at the police, fondly recalling the good old days in Highgate where there was a copper on every corner to keep the kids out of trouble. And not surprisingly, he takes the view that, unlike in the good old days, "children aren't brought up to have respect these days".

Tucked away in his panelled office at the town hall, what seems to escape Cllr Axon's notice is that respect has to be earned.

Decent-minded young people, like the majority of those who attend Wanstead Youth Centre for example, were hardly likely to show much respect for their elders when there was a cleverly orchestrated threat recently to close their youth club because of allegations of loutish behaviour by a minority.

On the other hand, few would doubt that the fun-loving youngsters pictured in the Guardian at the Redbridge Show, or those competing in the London Heathrow Games at Crystal Palace are a respectful and worthy bunch.

These young citizens deserve our sincere praise and admiration rather than an insensitive "put down" by the Redbridge Council leader who should not only be speaking up for them but engaging their energy, enthusiasm and commitment to make our borough a better place to live.

CIARAN CLERKIN, Wanstead Labour Party, Gloucester Road.

July 18, 2002 14:00