The Big Society

The new 'Big Society' idea that was conceived and launched by the Tories in opposition in March is now beginning to take shape. Nick Clegg and various ministers recently met a number of civic society chiefs to debate the Big Society Programme and David Cameron last week announced details of the 'Big Bank' which will use dormant account monies to 'fund social projects across the country, creating opportunities for social action and social involvement'. The Big Society Programme is billed to 'create a climate that empowers local people and communities, building a Big Society that would roll back big government, bureaucracy and Whitehall power'. Crikey - I really hope it works but somehow, it doesn't feel quite so new to me. I reckon that the Church of England, for one, has been doing pretty well on the Big Society front for years. Hundreds of parishes all over the country work hard with scant resources every day, offering support, advice, space, training, comfort and shelter to all types of people of all sorts of faiths and creeds - masses of 'little societies', quietly getting on with their own local parish business. And so many local and regional museums and galleries would simply cease to function without their teams of trusty volunteers, again already 'actively contributing to their local community'. I worry that by putting a political label on what's largely happening already, the Government is in danger of losing the support of potential new contributors. I'm still hoping for the best ......