There´s less heard about the big society these days.
In fact I cannot recall hearing or reading the phrase for some months.
The notion of a big idea to provide a framework for the coalition´s political narrative seems to have died a death.
The mess we inherited doesn´t wash any more, why? Because they have made it worse.
All the supposed feel good events that were meant to lift the nations spirits have been washed out by the rain.
Where there was meant to be optimism and a newly energised electorate following the Jubilee and the Olympics there were crowds in airport departure lounges trying to escape the worst, wettest summer in a century.
There is largely cynism born of the hard experience of seeing statements from the coalition discredited, denied or retracted.
The deficit which was to be reduced has been increased, instead the GCSE results have been reduced.
And Mr Cameron´s comments at the opening ceremony of the paralympics were met with well rehearsed synchronised cynism (a new Olympic event?) the marvellous efforts of these remarkable athletes will be followed by further statements announcing reductions in benefits.
So a cabinet reshuffle as a discredited tweedledum makes way for a discredited tweedledee.
It all has something of Alice in Wonderland about it as we are expected to believe so many remarkable things before breakfast.
It won´t wash of course. Or will it?
Do people care that much anymore?
This party is indistinguishable from that party, the same grey suits and and the same grey faces announcing solemnly that it is all the fault of the same grey suited predecessors.
The economy is in free fall, human rights are being threatened, disabled people are feeling increasingly anxious as illiberal legislation is brought in, the Green Belt is to be swept away and buried under an estate of new housing developments that people can either not afford or for which they cannot get a mortgage, Virgin has lost the West Coast franchise and Richard Branson is sulking.
So how, in the present economic and political climate do we take a wry look at the big society?
According to the sales pitch we were all supposed to reach out in help and support for each other.
The lonely would be befriended.
The sick would be healed.
The disabled would be offered the appropriate access they needed to ........ well, access the big society.
Instead we received an increase in VAT.
Tax breaks for the rich.
And reduced benefits that led welfare saying farewell to many who were less able to function in what is becoming an increasingly hostile and scary environment.
Food Banks become the face of the Big Society.
Soon the only occupation available to those of us unlucky enough not to be a banker, a hedge fund manager, a politician or a journalist will be selling the Big Issue.
The Big Society will become the Big Swap revealed for the Big Con it always was.
The New Statesman printed a joke about someone ringing up to buy the Lib Dem Manifesto to be told they had sold out, I know he said, I just wanted a copy of the manifesto ..............
In fact I cannot recall hearing or reading the phrase for some months.
The notion of a big idea to provide a framework for the coalition´s political narrative seems to have died a death.
The mess we inherited doesn´t wash any more, why? Because they have made it worse.
All the supposed feel good events that were meant to lift the nations spirits have been washed out by the rain.
Where there was meant to be optimism and a newly energised electorate following the Jubilee and the Olympics there were crowds in airport departure lounges trying to escape the worst, wettest summer in a century.
There is largely cynism born of the hard experience of seeing statements from the coalition discredited, denied or retracted.
The deficit which was to be reduced has been increased, instead the GCSE results have been reduced.
And Mr Cameron´s comments at the opening ceremony of the paralympics were met with well rehearsed synchronised cynism (a new Olympic event?) the marvellous efforts of these remarkable athletes will be followed by further statements announcing reductions in benefits.
So a cabinet reshuffle as a discredited tweedledum makes way for a discredited tweedledee.
It all has something of Alice in Wonderland about it as we are expected to believe so many remarkable things before breakfast.
It won´t wash of course. Or will it?
Do people care that much anymore?
This party is indistinguishable from that party, the same grey suits and and the same grey faces announcing solemnly that it is all the fault of the same grey suited predecessors.
The economy is in free fall, human rights are being threatened, disabled people are feeling increasingly anxious as illiberal legislation is brought in, the Green Belt is to be swept away and buried under an estate of new housing developments that people can either not afford or for which they cannot get a mortgage, Virgin has lost the West Coast franchise and Richard Branson is sulking.
So how, in the present economic and political climate do we take a wry look at the big society?
According to the sales pitch we were all supposed to reach out in help and support for each other.
The lonely would be befriended.
The sick would be healed.
The disabled would be offered the appropriate access they needed to ........ well, access the big society.
Instead we received an increase in VAT.
Tax breaks for the rich.
And reduced benefits that led welfare saying farewell to many who were less able to function in what is becoming an increasingly hostile and scary environment.
Food Banks become the face of the Big Society.
Soon the only occupation available to those of us unlucky enough not to be a banker, a hedge fund manager, a politician or a journalist will be selling the Big Issue.
The Big Society will become the Big Swap revealed for the Big Con it always was.
The New Statesman printed a joke about someone ringing up to buy the Lib Dem Manifesto to be told they had sold out, I know he said, I just wanted a copy of the manifesto ..............
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