If David Cameron achieved one purpose during the Tory conference, it was to set out the Big Society as the centre-piece of the Conservative programme. Of course returning the economy to sound fundamentals - dealing with Britain's huge debt remains the immediate priority -but it is the Big Society in which the fundamentals of renewing the country rely upon.
The Big Society has one central aim: replenishing social capital - more simply known as human association. So strengthening families, active citizenry, rebuilding communities and rolling back the intrusive state are the ends in which the Big Society replaces Big Government. Social capital is as important to general well-being as economic capital is to economic well being. Britain's broken society has largely come about because social capital has been greatly weakened.
Under the Big Society, individuals will be given the opportunity to set up their own schools, choose their own police commissioner, vote on planning issues and have a referendum on main local government matters such as finance. Localism rules. In health, patients will have more choice and GPs will be able to run their own practices and carry out their own commissioning, without interference from the state.
Communities will also be given power to run their own affairs, with voluntary and neighbourhood groups given much more support and freed from unnecessary bureaucracy. Financially they will be supported by a special Big Society bank.
Slowly, slowly, the Big Society is entering the mainstream of British life.
by Robert Halfon - www.roberthalfon.blogspot.com
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