Monday, July 19, 2010

The Big Society

I have almost no idea what it is or whether it is a good thing, so if you do know what it's about do let me know.

8 comments:

Mark Wadsworth said...

it's like society but bigger, I think.

banned said...

It worked in the 1930's as I just posted at my place, since you ask.

NickM said...

Oh, right. I have a post up at CCinZ saying, basically I'm scoobied (as I suspect is iDave). I'm not sure I'm glad you're in the same boat!

Quodrox said...

My take is that it's a continuation under a new name of of Labour's New Localism (aka double devolution), which included a much bigger voluntary involvement in delivering services. Probably without the pump-priming funding. But I could be completely wrong coz I can't actually bring myself to read anything emitting from Cameron. Whatever it is, it's doomed.

Ross said...

Mark- Very astute observation.

Banned- Yeah I saw your entry, if all the Big Society is, is for communities to come together more to do stuff without the state then that's fine.

Julius- That sort of makes some sense, akthough I don't think New Labour actually were in favour of localism at all after Scottish and Welsh devolution.

Quodrox said...

Ross - there was a lot about empowering local communities in the 2006 white Paper 'Strong and prosperous communities' (altho' not as much as some wanted), and a lot of effort was put into 'third sector' delivery. It will be interesting to see if the tories can push it further with less money...

From M Thatcher's time there was a history of Central govt not trusting localities to deliver; I suspect the Big society is a continuation of the slow swing back of the balance between central and local which begun under Labour.

Much as I hate to give credit to Labour for anything.

Julius

Weekend Yachtsman said...

Read Gerald Warner in the Telegraph, he has it about right:

http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/geraldwarner/100047805/daves-big-society-is-not-a-top-down-project-thats-why-it-was-launched-by-the-prime-minister/

Ross said...

It's certainly a good line by Warner.