Member News
By Tony Grew @ayestotheright - 6th June 2011
Recess is a time for reflection, and in that spirit we asked some ePolitix.com members to give their considered views on one of the coalition's policies - the Big Society.
This flagship idea has been heavily promoted by prime minister David Cameron, and much derided by Labour politicians.
The general public still seem split on the matter, while there are constant complaints that the prhase is too broad, or defies explanation.
The opinions of our member organisations mirrored that split.
Andy Thornton, chief executive of the Citizenship Foundation, asked if the Big Society is still on course to deliver.
He said the government's Big Society message is clear: "We expect more of you, but you can expect less from us.
Rhodri Davies, policy manager at the Charities Aid Foundation (CAF), said the Big Society suffers from a lack of clear goals.
He said it is "hard to believe that this set of policies is really going to have the sort of transformative effect on UK giving habits that the Big Society programme seems to demand".
Matt Collins, training and communications manager of early-intervention charity Chance UK, said the Big Society is not an idea that has flourished – but nor is it an idea that is yet consigned to the dustbin.
"When programmes like Chance UK are backed by the public, local authorities and national government, the Big Society will become more than just idea, and take root as a daily reality," he wrote.
And Rachael Maskell, national officer for trade union Unite, described the Big Society as "a smokescreen for cuts in jobs and services".
"The budget in March was Cameron's chance to save the Big Society by injecting the large amounts of cash needed for it to function properly with the right mix of paid, skilled professionals and volunteers in a structured manner – not the vague mirage continually conjured up by Cameron," she wrote.
Let us know what you think about the Big Society - leave us a comment.
Article Comments
The Big Society is really only half of an idea.
What Cameron really means is 'Big Society - Small State'.
Whether you see this as good or bad, 'the big society' is simply the other side of the cuts agenda being followed by Osborne overall and Pickles with local authorities
It is hard to pin down intentionally: it has to cover a multitude of sins.
Josh
7th Jun 2011 at 11:19 am
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