Perhaps we need to be a little bit less harsh on Dave and his ministers about the “big society”. As he’s said repeatedly, it’s something he feels really passionate about.
Ordinary people taking time out in the name of community cohesion and public-spiritedness to deliver services locally is a fine objective, and one that should not be sneered at.
What’s more, the “big society” is not just a piece of glib sloganeering; far from it. Take a good look at the government’s plans for Britain and you will find a coherent, well-thought-out scheme for national renewal.
“But where will we find the time for all of this in our busy lives?” squeal the detractors.
This is the clever part.
By closely consulting with his Chancellor, Dave has put together a fiendishly simple plan to create his “army of volunteers”.
For George Osborne’s Budget amounts to the unleashing of a veritable horde of potential do-gooders.
Shorn of their day-to-day “breadwinner” roles, hundreds of thousands of ex-civil servants will be able to devote themselves wholeheartedly to giving something back to their communities, unfettered by a salary, mortgage, car or any other fashionable trappings of postmodernity.
But the new Britain isn’t just about pushy government compelling citizens to do things, it’s also about choice.
The Mayor of London is doing his bit to this end. Taking Norman Tebbit’s injunction at face value, BoJo has helpfully laid on bike upon bike, on which London’s newly unemployed are free to get, should they decide that the whole “working for nothing” thing isn’t for them.
We’ve heard politicians talk about “joined-up” government before. Now, finally, someone has moved beyond words to action. Dave, we salute you.
Content from our partners
Related
