The Big Society

Although the big society is an unfortunate expression doubtless generated by a group of well meaning PR men, it is nevertheless a dream to which we all need to aspire. Already. I can all but smell the deep and meaningful theses being written with wonderful interpretations of what it means.

Its roots are twofold and really quite simple. In the first instance, the Public Sector in this country was allowed to grow into an out of control monster during the last 13 years. Out of control and financially unsustainable. However, what the Labour proved once and for all is that if a societal problem exists, merely throwing money at it is not the answer. The second major thrust of the big society therefore looks beyond money; it looks at people. As sure as people got us into this mess, it will be people who get us out of it. Whether they are voluntary, paid fairly or paid unaffordable amounts, the people must come together and seek a new philosophy. Are people really so dependent on the state doing everything for them? Unfortunately, a lot of damage has been done going back to the inception of the welfare state and the NHS. Today, our society boasts families whose entire membership takes their income from the state and are treated gratis by the NHS. Step back a minute. That sounds too good to be true doesn't it? Well, it very obviously is too good to be true. It perpetuates dependency, it inhibits engagement and it costs in monetary terms more than we can afford. Something has to give.

Already, the new government has indicated its committment to make large cuts sooner rather than later. However, this is only the first step. They have done their bit and now the people must do theirs. The big society wants us to get out from in front of our televisions and chat to our neighbour, help the old bloke across the road, put something back and offer a few hours of our time to a good cause. Above all, we must start to help ourselves and seek what we can do for the community around us. I hear many people who are all too quick to pinpoint what is going wrong where they live but I see all too few doing anything about it. The fact is it will not fix itself. David Cameron is very brave in launching this because I am certain it will take at least one generation to bear fruit. However, he has done the most important thing; he has sown the seed and set the ball rolling.