Together we can build a better country

Comment by Andrew Carnegie on July 23, 2010 at 5:58 pm

A shining example of a voluntary semi pro organisation is Malmesbury Town Council, the first capital of England. Despite the Unitary authority coming into being the existing legislation resulted in area boards and community groups being set up for local representation when it already exists in a democratic and local way. Bringing the Town and parish councils back into the system, especially by bringing planning back to the local level removed in 1974, would result in faster, more effective decisions and also remove a whole tier of funded groups that should be unnecessary. Town and parish councillors are unpaid, it would allow for potential savings by increasing the ward size putting strategic decisions at county level and tactical implementation at Town and parish level.

Comment by Chris Maddra on July 23, 2010 at 5:59 pm

Well done, just keep going. We expats are behind you.

Comment by tresa on July 23, 2010 at 6:00 pm

yes sounds good, but people still having hard time with too much red tape and local authority interference. no good sending kids off on a break when they return to the same old chains, we need to free up buseness and allow people to trade without undue interference from the state. that creates wealth and independance. at the moment local authoritys are strangling enterprise.

Comment by alastair pinnock on July 23, 2010 at 6:00 pm

Great idea,also massive talent available in the retired community,who probably relish some involvement in social work and do not normally get to offer their experience to young people.

Comment by Aoma on July 23, 2010 at 6:01 pm

Feel that it should not be voluntay bt compulsary military service for the young and also young unemployed. If you make it voluntary you are really not going to target the teenager who is bing a nuisance on the street and the neighborhoods. That is my view and the views of my family.

Comment by pam on July 23, 2010 at 6:01 pm

Hello,
Just to say that I am a big fan of the volunteering side of your programme, not only do people do useful things but gain trememdously from it themselves. Looking around the many people I know that volunteer, manu of them come from a Christian background where helping others is part of their committment. Also it is worth looking at why people do volunteer, their passions and ideals. Keep up the good work

Comment by Andrew Carnegie on July 23, 2010 at 6:03 pm

In terms of the NHS, an area I have been involved with for 30 years, the main increase in staffing levels from the traditional 1m to the current 1.7m has focused on the central requirement for reporting and the management needed to achieve that. By making the PCT / Trust a make or break organisation focused on the point of care a similar tactical situation occurs whereby the trust are only reporting their performance. The controlling body only requires to fund on operational capability from the point of order, the patient and monitor outcomes.

Comment by JANE GOULD on July 23, 2010 at 6:03 pm

I could not be more in favour of this initiative. I hope that the Service will be flexible enough to allow young people who DO need to earn money during their school holdays ( as I did) the opportunity to take part.
The benefits of engaging with people from diverse backgrounds and understanding how individual actions affect and influence the broader group cannot be overestimated.

Comment by Mike Ayres on July 23, 2010 at 6:04 pm

I agree we can build a better country, but it will take a lot of earth and stuff. And anyway, where would we put it?

Comment by FranzDFerdinand on July 23, 2010 at 6:06 pm

Together we can build a better party

Sayeeda, what our you going to do about Merlin?

Comment by Tim Williams on July 23, 2010 at 6:06 pm

This letter could almost have been written after reading Torquil Norman’s new book, “Kick the Tyres, Light the Fires” It gives a novel, enlightened and logical proposal very much along the lines of Baroness Warsi’s letter.
Read it.

Comment by terence on July 23, 2010 at 6:06 pm

keep up the good work. Especially on quangoes. You could cut 80% and the populance would not be affected one jot!

Comment by Pascal Giraud on July 23, 2010 at 6:07 pm

Let me get this straight: you’re going top replace top down government with what looks suspiciously like another form of top down government? Do you people think that without you there are not thousands of peoplealready doing voluntary work “voluntarily” without any of you politicians getting involved, apart from when you make things more difficult with more regulations and bureaucracy.

The best thing you could do is butt out. Please, with a cherry on top.

Big society? It boggles the mind that supposedly intelligent people can come out with this guff.

For the record, I am a governor at my local school, and I coach young kids. All that voluntarily.

You call yourselves conservatives? You must be kidding.

Comment by RICHARD PRICE on July 23, 2010 at 6:07 pm

Part of the Big Society has to involve our (Britain’s) immensely actice charities. But they are being kicked from both ends by VAT where it’s going up and they , like businesses, cannot reclaim any of their payments.. If we want those charities that back up our social services and take a great deal of weight in dealing with the handicapped, the homess and the like, to continue to do so snd increase their efforts then at least part of their VAT has to be refunded, like the Danes do.

Comment by Jim Allen on July 23, 2010 at 6:07 pm

Basically a good idea but how does one become one of the organisers because two months sessions need some sort of organiser and there is no indication who or how the organisers will be ‘employed’ or found – like many government initiatives the organisers seem to appear out of mid air and never a local advert appears – like the olympics – 1 in 5 jobs to local people claimed to be a good sucess rate by the organisers – there should be zero unemployment around the 2012 site for locals. Lets see who gets the organisers jobs – the locals or some company brought in from some other area..

Comment by Thomas Denny on July 23, 2010 at 6:10 pm

I Am Rank Conservative,But Have Never Been A Lover Of The eec,And Unelected Commisioners And Those That Should Have No Say.
In Its Present Form It Is Corrupt,and needs taking apart,the money plundered from this country,with little to show only silly laws,seen from where i am is a big no,no.
The money sent to the eec could have gone a long way,to help our troubles.

Comment by Ralph Hodges on July 23, 2010 at 6:10 pm

I can’t wait for less government interference. I am a resedential landlord and in the past few weeks I have been visited by local council staff inspecting the security arrangements in my houses, mandatory inspections of licensed houses (3 storey) by Envionmental Health, enquiries from the rent valuation officer (HMR&C) about how much rent I charge, plus ongoing annual accreditation of each house, EPC’s, which I have never been asked for, recording deposits and so on. Its turned what was a simple function of providing a home for those who rent into a bureaucratic nightmare! In addition the law is loaded in favour of the tenant with few if any rights for the landlord. If the tenant decides not to pay his rent it takes a minimum of 6 months of expensive legal work to remove him while the tenant, of course, gets Legal Aid at taxpayers expense! Why can’t we adopt the American system of no rent for 3 months and out! Also, what was Housing Benefit, gets paid direct to the tenant rather than directly to the landlord and it seems there is little the landlord can do to obtain this rent if the tenant refuses to hand it over! What bureaucrat thought that one up?

Comment by david wadmore on July 23, 2010 at 6:13 pm

That’s great,well done.However,the initiative for young people should be compulsory,please don’t turn in to the previous post war governments and by only doing things half cock so as not to upset a few people.Also,please pass on to whoever is responsible for criminal records bureau checks at the moment,what a joke.Do you realise that firms cannot employ anyone at the moment.Lookat the system closely and you will see.

Comment by Jim Sweet on July 23, 2010 at 6:14 pm

Some sort of youth service a good idea, combined with training. Unemployment benefits etc should be conditional upon signing up.

Comment by Judith Braide on July 23, 2010 at 6:17 pm

Just wanted to agree with previous blog. As a recently retired teacher I would love to use my skills in a voluntary capacity to help teenagers and young people but finding a way is extremely difficult. Organise as well as talk and we will be with you.

Comment by Sandra Hoadley on July 23, 2010 at 6:17 pm

At last, some brilliant brilliant action to undo the damage done to the country. I might just be able to return to the UK soon – after running away overseas to try and live a life on my state pension.

Comment by Tim Beddard on July 23, 2010 at 6:17 pm

In principle I agree with what you are saying. I think the ideas are good. Nobody in their right mind wants to live in a Nanny State. Responsibility is the key to a successful life and ultimately brings about a caring society, and one in which we can all be proud to take part in. The problem is raising the responsibility level of the individual.

Comment by Martin Middleton on July 23, 2010 at 6:17 pm

I am impressed at what David Cameron is tackling in such a short time. However, the coalition must speak as one voice. The Deputy Priminister cannot publically express his personal opinion if it differs with that of the Governament; Collective Responsibility must be adhered to is to survive. Vince Cable too should ensure his comments are in tandem with his cabinet colleagues.

I hope you find these comments helpful.

Best wishes

Martin Middleton
West Wirral area

Comment by Mark Andrew on July 23, 2010 at 6:17 pm

The Big Society
Please remember that so many Voluntary bodies already exist – dont re-ivent the wheel !
Dont let local authorities manage any projects but make sure they support and cut red tape where necessary to get the work started.

Comment by willliam rawstron on July 23, 2010 at 6:18 pm

i love the idea of the big society.hope you guys go further as a builder would love to develope unused property in my area. to affordable housing its tragic to leave them boarded up give us builders the green light by releasing all this property

Comment by Josie Connor on July 23, 2010 at 6:21 pm

Do NOT print my e-mail address thank you.
Great work using the voluntary sector but please no fancy managers paid workers running them. Entire Quango’s are paid such as in LINKs vast sums of money handed over. Small voluntary groups can do the same work with the very basics in expences.

Comment by Clara Armand on July 23, 2010 at 6:21 pm

I truly believe that changing Labour’s top-down “management” (or rather, mismanagement policy (or rather, a pre-condition for excessive internal departmental politics) is aeffective and forward thinking decision. I admire David Cameron’s brilliant speech in Liverpool, and I fully support Baroness Warsi’s ideas. I shall be helping their implementation with everything I can.
Clara Armand, theatre producer and director, and educationalist

Comment by Darren Sharp on July 23, 2010 at 6:22 pm

I like the idea however I’m concerned that those who are less educated and predominantly from a poorer background will not take this up because of their general lack of hope. How can this be made inclusive and inspiring for all of our young people?

Comment by Louella Hanbury-Tenison on July 23, 2010 at 6:23 pm

It all sounds like a good idea but we need people to organise it and I fear too many people are now ingrained with things being done for them and will need a good kick to get them going. The lethargy and torpor in many of the unemployed has made them unemployable and I am not sure we will see them wanting to help their communities or embrace the Big Society. I hope I’m wrong!

Comment by Fred Searle on July 23, 2010 at 6:28 pm

Like this idea in principle but I am unsure of how exactly it will work. If some local area proving schemes are to be put in place first I guess this will help.
Get some of the retired service men and women to have an input or indeed, anyone who can organise, motivate and show leadership.
This is obviously a long term project and needs to be solidly structured if it is to succeed. I for one wish it well.

Comment by John Melser on July 23, 2010 at 6:31 pm

Is the Big Society going to come down to Parish Council level where the Council must consult with Parishioners more often than in an election year and take notice of the wishes of their parishioners?

Comment by elizabeth hammond on July 23, 2010 at 6:32 pm

I totally agree with you Sayeed. I have just returned to live in UK from SA(36yrs) and I am horrified at how disresptful some y oung people have become. Too much too soon, no discipline etc. I am 65 a widow and wish the consertive party who I voted for all the best.

Comment by Margaret on July 23, 2010 at 6:33 pm

I like the idea of involvement and I think that suggests a mutuality in learning and demonstrating valuing and respect.

Comment by Paula Poxon on July 23, 2010 at 6:35 pm

Great idea, great theory…but I think we’ve reached a point at which National Service needs to be compulsory.

Comment by David McSherry on July 23, 2010 at 6:35 pm

The decentralisation will release initiative but lets be careful that we don’t demolish the guuidelines of society. All we want to do is cut the red tape and administration and protect our communities regardless of colour, creed and race. Sounds simple!

Comment by Dave Cook on July 23, 2010 at 6:36 pm

I think this is a great idea, and I hope it works. Like others, I hope that by setting people free from a system of control, they will be able to take control for themselves. However, it is almost like releasing zoo animals who have been fed and kept within a system, there may well need to be some education involved to help people realise their potential, the current system of control has wasted peoples potential for so long that failure is almost ingrained from birth.

It is a brave move from a brave government.

Being older, I wonder if there are some opportunities for older people to assist as volunteers to guide and assist younger people, as mentors or something. Most of us will have been there and done it, and have a bit of life experience to share in a positive and inspiring way.

Comment by Ken on July 23, 2010 at 6:39 pm

Sounds a great idea. I hope that, in addition to this, you will be giving assistance and support to churches and others who have been running youth clubs for decades on a shoe string. Perhaps with minibuses etc.

Comment by Pamela Gainer on July 23, 2010 at 6:41 pm

All for this. My only fear is that, not being made compulsary ,it may not be taken up by those who would benefit the most. Can it not be made compulsary, even for a short time? Getting the taste for community spirit could be enough to encourage youngsters to continue. It will be interesting to see what the response will be. What if a youngster does not take up employment – could this be a compulsary option? Just some thoughts.

Comment by Barbara Adams on July 23, 2010 at 6:42 pm

Peerhaps we should do more to encourage our children to participate in already established groups,eg Girl Guides, Boy scouts,various charity groups. British youth are not now, and never had been ,traditionally motivated by politics

Comment by Alec Weir on July 23, 2010 at 6:42 pm

Who or what is going to pay for the additional work that will be required from the Parish and Town councils and, perhaps more importantly, the National Citizen Service, who will run it and fund it?

Comment by Martin Gomersall-webb on July 23, 2010 at 6:43 pm

There has to be an incentive for young people to enrol in the National Citizens Service.

Why not make National Citizen Service or military service an essential qualification in order to qualify to vote in any type of election?

Without such a qualification their name is never added to the electoral roll.

If the right to vote has to be earned, then that right will be jealously guarded and carefully applied.

Comment by Colin Johnson on July 23, 2010 at 6:44 pm

I agree with your sentiments but cannot understand if these are policies of the Conservative Party why did Nick Herbert interfere with the public consultation concerning the proposed merger between Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire Police

Comment by Cllr Chris Siddall on July 23, 2010 at 6:44 pm

Thanks sayeeda, sounds great keep up the good work, but we need to be careful not to throw out the baby with the bath water, let’s make sure that the good work in localism being done is not stopped by cuts in budgets!

Comment by John Andrews on July 23, 2010 at 6:47 pm

This is an example of the positive promotion of an exciting Conservative approach to Government, involving people not just politicians, trades union bosses and time servers. As a councillor in a “District” I’m appalled by the steadfast brushing aside of the opinions and needs of local people in favour of cheap headline grabs and reliance on absurd bureaucratic mumbo jumbo in the top two tiers of local Government and I’m delighted to see David’s team putting into practice so many sane policies. I know there will be a few “cock-ups” – but they’ll be of commission rather than omission and ridiculously incompetent micro-management by Gordo.

Comment by John Blacker on July 23, 2010 at 6:48 pm

“If we want real long-term change, we need people to come together and work together – because government can’t solve all our problems on its own.” Oh how right you are.
BUT…If you think you are likely to get many of the current generation of young people leaving school or University, to sign up for a non-compulsory and especially voluntary scheme of any sort I think you are severely blinkered in your views. I work on the streets everyday and talk to hundreds of disolusioned youngsters. They are leaving school with loads of qualifications, but no jobs to go to. Even when they do find vacancies they are told they are overqualified or the job is going to a foreign worker who will work for minimum wage.
Most of todays young people know all about intigration, and social responsibility and frankly most of them don’t want it, they want to earn a living so they can put a roof over thier heads and go out and party at weekends.
Most people do know how thier local communities shouid be run but do not have the leadership or administrative skills to be able to do so, (They don’t learn them at school or college and probably not at university). What todays youth really want to see is a strong Prime Minister leading by example, not pandering to the whims of American or European Governments. They want to see someone who will stand up and say this country and it’s residents come first. They want to see Great Britain become Great again.
Finally if you give people more power, sure some will act more responsibly but given enough rope most will hang themselves.
So sure…Power to the people but under strong leadership and with some caution.

Comment by LH Porter on July 23, 2010 at 6:49 pm

The big society sounds almost like Burke’s “little platoons”…I do hope so. Good luck with this move, I genuinely hope it works out (its certainly preferable to the welfare state) but please be careful that you dont fall into the “democratic liberalism” trap of “anti-authority”.

Comment by arthur on July 23, 2010 at 6:49 pm

Best idea in ages I have ben saying for many years we should have some sort of military service again it will do the youth of today a world of good and your idea who can say may get them to join up in the regular services.
WELL DONE

Comment by Mian Saleem on July 23, 2010 at 6:51 pm

Sayeeda this is a wonderful approach to bring the youth in a fold so that they can express their creative and innovative ideas a positive manner. I am confident that you will succeed in your endeavors.

Comment by Richard Lucas on July 23, 2010 at 6:52 pm

Absolutely right in terms of more local engagement and a more widespread use of volunteering – yes to the young people initiative but also encourage volunteering right across the age range. The important thing to add, though, is that we need to simplify the procedures for local involvement. At present it involves a mass of form filling with questions that can only really apply to and be answered by large organisations. Dave is right that the third sector is really the first sector. But it does not just have to be large voluntary organisations and businesses. Small groups have much more to conbtribute at a local level.

Comment by Patricia McCormack on July 23, 2010 at 6:52 pm

David is setting out along the right path. i certainly agree that more power should be given to local people, and I also believe that the idea of service should be encouraged right across the spectrum. There are indeed wonderful young people today and it is my privilege to meet many of them. The idea of involvling more of the less committed is good.

Comment by Denis Noble on July 23, 2010 at 6:53 pm

I am a bit sceptical about these great ideas, but I wish you well. We were promised the demise of all those “jobs worth” Quangos but I have seen little sign of it all happening; hence I am sceptical!

Comment by Adrienne May on July 23, 2010 at 6:53 pm

I am not sure about all this voluntary business. Sometimes volunteers do a good job, often it is a foul up. In any case, we need to get people into paid work so they are not a burden on the state. Isn’t that the policy?
Yes get rid of form filling and statistics if they are a burden, Quangos and H & S. But turning Doctors into buyers? Beware. In the 1990s under John Major, teachers were given money to spend and as they were not experienced buyers, they paid through the nose for everything. Most medical supplies and drugs ought to be bought centrally, but then that would stop a few Tory boys profiteering out of the stste, wouldn’t it?

Comment by Philip Leach on July 23, 2010 at 6:54 pm

I agree with the coment above- bring back local town councils with unpaid volunteers. Eccles has suffered underv the yoke of Salford for too long. salford gets all the money, we get a shopping centre reduced to poundshops and charity shops (no offence intended to the latter), and estates filled with the people who might take the gloss off of Salford Quays. Localism needs to be forced on local authorities, they are the worst centralisers of all.

Comment by Nick Tolson on July 23, 2010 at 7:00 pm

Hi,
I think it is very important to acknowledge the efforts of the teenagers and staff who already do plenty of volunteering. The Air Cadets have 40,000 13yrs to 20 yr olds doing enormous amounts of citizenship and it would be good to get them acknowledged. I hope you will use the experience that the adults have to assist in the setting up of these local organisations. There’s no need to reinvent the wheel!

Comment by dparfitt on July 23, 2010 at 7:04 pm

excellent idea,how will it work in practice as i can c uptake being poor unless compulsory and away from home.Who will run it ,it needs to reflect a level playing field for all participants therefore some uniform 4 the duration may be good idea also involvement in communities eg like the land army!!

Comment by K Sykes on July 23, 2010 at 7:06 pm

Although I like the idea of National Civil Service it should not be just another extension of Social Service. We need volunteers to clean the junk out of rivers and ponds, remove eyesores, eradicate invasive species of animals and plants destroying and replacing the indigiineous ones.

Having said that I’m cautious of communities that do not believe in the secular traditions of this country and would abuse powers to make some areas ethnic no go areas by local legislation or policies…. We could make a good start by Removing the charitable status of any religion that engages in politics.

I notice that some signs in Brick Lane are not even in English….a very dangerous trend. English should be compulsory and take precedence as in other countries.

I do like the idea….just that too many people don’t want to be British why else would you make your shop sign only understood by one community?

Comment by Ann Telford on July 23, 2010 at 7:10 pm

A tiny group of us work very hard in our small community to meet community needs. We struggle to get volunteers & government grants are now being stopped. You want us to do more? Reality says it’s impossible.

Comment by PSM on July 23, 2010 at 7:13 pm

Volunteering has been happening for ages, there’s nothing new in that. You have still failed to spell out firstly how you will provide the support that communities will need to make decisions, such as an understanding of why a planning system exists at all, and secondly how you will prevent local majorities from trampling over the minority – the risk remains that by lowering power to the people you create the same conditions writ small that you think government has caused at the countrywide level.

Comment by Jane on July 23, 2010 at 7:15 pm

I started out commenting on how difficult it would be to implement an initiative based on the ‘Big Society’, in an area opposed to Conservative ideas. One would need the support of the local council, business, media, schools & colleges to move ahead. I wanted to stress that people enjoy giving their time, energy and ideas to projects which enhance their lives and give them a sense of social achievement. Yet when politics are introduced into the mix these same people suddenly become extremely selective. My town is thriving, affluent and crammed full of people wishing to help out. Just one problem, its citizenry is violently opposed to Conservative politics. I started out being negative, and then an idea struck me.

It is possible to set up a National Citizen Service project in my town, only it must never be called that or ever be referred to as a Conservative idea, for fear that no one will want to participate. And the outcome should this clandestine operation be successful? The town council is happy; the participants are happy; the beneficiaries of the social project are happy – only it would leave me sad.

Like Cinderella in the fairytale – who does good and is never appreciated – the Conservative Party will at best be ignored and at worst derided, while the self-righteous step-sisters, the Greens and the Lib-Dems will pat themselves on the back for a job well done! Shame.

Comment by colin rowley on July 23, 2010 at 7:17 pm

I am very fortunate to live in a village run by a Parish Council who work together despite their political differences. The village has a lively community spirit, with local action meetings being well attended. The downside is that we are still reliant on Borough and County Councils making decisions (or not), on our behalf. We need desperatley to break this stranglehold, to allow local people to make local decisons. I also agree entirely with the subscriber who advocates National Service for the young. This does not have to be a spell in the armed forces. There are many roles in the community that could be handled by our youngters, thus giving them a sense of responsibility and pride in having made an important contribtion to society

Comment by ck on July 23, 2010 at 7:22 pm

This is definitely an encouraging start and in the right direction away from Labours treacherous twisted Socialist opression. If only the Cons would give the British a referendum on whether to remain in the EU. Two World Wars to preserve our Sovereignty, just for an unelected anti British “Primeminister” to sign it all away without our consent is utterly criminal. Give us our say, please.

Comment by Ann Hodge on July 23, 2010 at 7:22 pm

yes! I can see it’s going to be a better Britain. Party’s for prisoners, must get in there.
Cut’s in Council spending, yes, must keep the Quango’s and holidays so we will cut the refuse collections etc. Keep prisoners out of prison, brilliant…. nothing at all to be scared of now. I can now see it will all work well. But for who?

Comment by d hampson on July 23, 2010 at 7:29 pm

Great idea but make it compulsory so that people have some national pride again about the country they were lucky enough to be born in.

Comment by Richard Teare on July 23, 2010 at 7:34 pm

I’ve worked in private and public sectors – as well as giving time and money to charities. In all of these the over-riding growth constraint factor has been the “on-cost” of employment.
G Brown knocked most self-employed’s and many in the private sector’s pension plans for six while enhancing the public sector’s pensions. Now those of us with smaller pension plans are having to fund higher employer contribution costs for public sector workers – I should know, as I am currently employed – temporarily – in the public sector.
Building a better country is going to involve us all in toning down our expectatiosn for the future, which will involve re-structuring public sector pensions.
While this may be unpalatable to those in that sector, unless we tackle this NOW we won’t have the growing economy to fund what will remain – let alone the high pensions we currently cannot afford!
If the National Citizen Service, although non-compulsory, is to work in encouraging the young to get up and go, then the costs that they are going to have to fund from their income will need to be reasonable, otherwise all the social responsibility teaching they receive will not count for much.

Comment by Ian on July 23, 2010 at 7:35 pm

I am all for this voluntary idea. If someone is out of work then voluntary work should be a condition of getting any benefits. For younger people it should be part of the growing up training, so compulsory bit not every day. In the village I live in we have achieved a lot of issues which were previously marked “unable to do” or “cannot afford” etc. Taking the initiative 3 years ago I did take on a matter thought not important by the local council, aand that has continued. Every time a subject is discussed and it comes up as not able to proceed for one reason or another I will stepin where possible and get the job done. By example I have a small groupof volunteers who willnow help as thay can see the results have benefitted all of us. Subjects have been LITTER, DOG MESS, SPEEDING, OPENING FOOTPATHS, CLEARING DITCHES, TIDYING PLAYING FIELD, PAINTING VILLAGE HALL. Yes encourage the voluntary scheme but make it an essential part of life, not just a penny pinching second rate scheme.

Comment by Billy Gardner on July 23, 2010 at 7:40 pm

It’s a shame that devolution where I live (Scotland) will ultimately use power to stop the ‘big society’ being achieved in this country.

We are already far more policed and nannied than the rest of the UK.

The Scottish parliament has banned the sale of alcohol to EVERYONE after 10pm, believing that this will stop the minority getting their hands on it and causing trouble. We are forbidden to consume alcohol in the streets. We were the first to get the smoking ban …

PEOPLE SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO LIVE THEIR LIVES AND MAKE THEIR OWN CHOICES.

Devolution has to either be removed, or these parliaments powers stripped back.

Comment by Martin Selwood on July 23, 2010 at 7:40 pm

I think it may be a sound idea but it has to be proved yet. Lots of new ideas are greeted with enormous enthusiasm at first but in reality don´t turn out as well as first hoped.
Let´s see some results before we shout too much.!

Comment by Steve on July 23, 2010 at 7:41 pm

I live here in the USA but signed up for your news letter to see how things are progessing with the conservative movement in England. I really enjoy reading them and am very happy with how and what you are doing. I can only hope that my country can follow suit. I believe we will. Keep moving forward and whatever you do, hold true to your principles. Comprise is not an option. May God always be your guide.

Comment by shaun on July 23, 2010 at 7:43 pm

A great idea from the goverment,i am glad it is non military citizen service!!

Comment by david on July 23, 2010 at 7:43 pm

hiya im a young lad tring to make a good living, i work anythink upto 80 or 90 hours a week im trying to build my own company , but im getting crippled by tax and national insurance ecspecially , im working unhealthy amount of hours just to get by why is there not more help for people trying to create jobs?????

Comment by gwyneth crawley on July 23, 2010 at 7:43 pm

National Citizen Service is an excellent idea. It will require skill to develop the right balance between challenge and putting young people off, especially those for whom this sort of experience would be a ‘first’. but a very worthwhile ambition and I hope it succeed in its aims.

Comment by Geof Maskens on July 23, 2010 at 7:45 pm

National Citizen Service? YES, Yes and yes again. The difficulty is motivating already disaffected youngsters – I hope you have some really inspiring ideas.

Geof Maskens

Comment by Johan Smit on July 23, 2010 at 7:47 pm

My local County Council Chief Executive Officer is paid £ 250,000 per annum, he has no business sense,only a trapped local population who are forced to pay Council Tax under threat of baliff’s and imprisonment.

This local council have so many tiers of management that I am surprised that any ACTUAL work gets done.

If you make a positive comment about how the organisation could benefit from looking within itself,the comment is deemed as a negative and the person involved is put on a ‘Customer Care’ course.

I do not see why? people should volunteer, when local goverment is still being run by a protection racket? protecting themselves from inevitable change.

Comment by John Moonie on July 23, 2010 at 7:49 pm

We already have a number of voluntary organisations which help instil useful values and skills in oung people e.g. Scouts, Air Training Corps, etc. Why not back these up? And what’s the problem with it having to be non-military? I joined the ATC at 13, learned how pilot a glider, went on summer camps, expeditions for Duke of Edinbugh’s award and many other activities including learning how to shoot a rifle safely and in compeitions – very character-building stuff! I don’t see much wrong with the Big Society concept but the main people who will take this up probably already do in a number of ways. We need to be rid of the interfering nanny state stuff introduced by Labour like quangoes for this that and the next thing and insanely complex tax rules for individuals and companies. Talke the brakes off – get rid of the red tape and even more important get rid of the biggest interfering influence in all our lives – the EU. I know this opinion will not be popular (amongst politicians) but this would start to open up peoples’ ability to manage their personal and working lives.

Comment by Janet Kent on July 23, 2010 at 7:52 pm

Fabulous > Just what this country needs. It has my full support and also that of my family. Keep up the good work and this country can become great again.

Comment by Veronica Lowe on July 23, 2010 at 7:54 pm

Will the Big Society give worthwhile activity and genuine work to people in the prime of life, 30s, and 40s, recovering and in remission from long term mental illness?
It is essential we all do far more as volunteers and accept less money for what we do. There is so much that could be done to improve our quality of life. Local litter picking, cutting back hedges on estates, making sure we dispose of our own rubbish thoughtfully. So many things need willingness, not money.
Most of all, use and re-use what we have. And bring back common sense and ‘good enough’ parents. Stop criminalising everyone who wants to do a voluntary activity. We are not all child molesters.

Comment by mike mcfadden on July 23, 2010 at 7:57 pm

Sounds good and I honestly believe power should be with the people not well meaning gutless politicians!
However, Britain has had 13 years of socialism at least 5 years of nasty devisive communism, so if you are serious about getting Britain back into business! Stop this multicultralism nonsense and purge political correctness along with ethnic priorities. One nation one language if you like it join us if you don’t, don’t come here. Stop bending over backwards for people that want to do us harm! Stop importing poor people to live on benefits E.U or not.

Comment by Michael Mottershead on July 23, 2010 at 7:59 pm

Whilst this idea has some merit I am am not happy with some of the policies being put forward and introduction of things like the death tax.I am also dissapointed in the way things are being dropped from the manifesto,Clarkes thoughts on crime and prison do not appeal to me. I was really annoyed with Camerons remarks Obama about us being junior partners in the war in 1940 Americans were not involved then we were on our own.He should have known his history and he needs to get on the offensive with Obama who is a very poor president only interested in putting the blame elsewhere i.e BP cameron should have supported BP not sucked up to Obama. I voted for the Consevatives not the Liberals Cameron is giving too much away to them he should have gone it alone and called another election which he would have won hands down after the loser brown resigned.
I am rapidly becoming dissalusioned with Cameron When is he going to get hard and crack down on useless quangos and ridiculous ministrys which are wasting money
Michael Mottershead

Comment by Mike Rixon on July 23, 2010 at 8:03 pm

Hi the new idea to give planning power to the local communities could be a good idea but could the Conservitives go one step futher and start a council house building project for the communities and use young people off unemployment and teach them trades at the same time as putting money back into the market and giving the young people of today a trade and some self respect, just a thought :~)

Comment by mike on July 23, 2010 at 8:05 pm

i think the military should do the orgainisg for this .You need someone who can teach discipline and earn respect.New leaders will emerge and take the whole program forward to build better community spirit and National pride.

Comment by John Corcoran on July 23, 2010 at 8:06 pm

Please we need more details of the National Citizen Service! We will be doing canvassing for local elections next week, more details will help.

Comment by Rick Savage on July 23, 2010 at 8:09 pm

There is a huge amount of voluntary work already undertaken. I’m treasurer to numerous charities, spend a good deal of my time working for my church, am secretary to my local altar server guild and contribute money to many other worthwhile charities. I have friends who volunteer their time to keep the local museum open, run local residents’ associations. What none of us need is Govt setting up a National Citizens’ Service to further sap our self reliance. Concentrate on doing what has to be done internationally (getting our troops out of Afghanistan); nationally (socialised defence, healthcare [incl preventative medicine such as healthy eating - taking on the food industry], education); locally ( planning, policing, parks, noise, refuse etc). What none of us need is a Big Society, merely a simpler one. If the Govt wants to save money – STOP DOING THINGS. Letting parents run schools etc is breaking democratic accountability from the people who are paying for it ! Letting overpaid Doctors get their hands on billions of pounds of procurement funds is a recipe for confusion and more expense (there have been enough scandals of doctors taking freebies from pharmaceutical companies!) – they are to be trusted with this but not say whether their patients are ill enough to be on state benefits? Start repealing some legislation – top of the list would be the failed proscription of drugs; the failed proscription of prostitution; the failed proscription of obscene material incl the statutory censorship body the British Board of Film Classification – it would remove a whole swathe of criminality from the area, save money with policing, courts, prisons. Instead of the Big Society, lets have the Least Legislation Govt.

Comment by roma on July 23, 2010 at 8:10 pm

Great! I agree, there are certainly opportunities to end the dependency culture, but I am not sure about volunteering. Many people have good intentions, but how many people can afford to volunteer?

I wish you well, it is a great move.

Comment by Keith Atkins on July 23, 2010 at 8:20 pm

I continue to be impressed by the energy of the new government.
The concept is very good, and we have certainly been lacking the ethos of community in too many parts of the country for too long. It will take time to recover.
One word of caution. Under Labour rule the Trade Unions have become very powerful in Local Government, and will do all they can to undermine this initiative, because it does not suit them.

If properly structured, and with the correct systems and accountability, there are a lot of committed and talented people about, old as well as the young who can make a great contribution. They will also enrich their own lives as a result.

As someone who volunteered at a very high level for over a decade until quite recently, I cannot stress enough the need for accountability. I was often let down and undermined by the lack of commitment, interest and ability of the “professionals” who were paid, but failed to measure up. They did their utmost to undermine my efforts, and had a “agenda”. My only desire was to make a contribution, and to make a difference.

Comment by Hugo on July 23, 2010 at 8:22 pm

I’m a great believer in society, but I’m worried that the Big Society may have the opposite effect of insisting on government involvement in community projects where they are not wanted. A nice idea, but don’t stick your noses in too much.

Comment by Jim Brown on July 23, 2010 at 8:43 pm

Ma,am
I am with you all the way. I voted Tory as I have done all my life. Now lets be sensible about this, you must take the electorate with you. At the moment the edges of loyal backing are begining to fray. simply you the government are moving to fast. One chap quoted to me the other day it is as if the Labour party were still in power. You are trying to pay off the national debt. this will not be done in the duration of this parliment. Then what is the hurry. Do not forgert the people who put you there, if you do you will only get one term in office. Please think carefully.

Comment by Raymond Pidgley on July 23, 2010 at 8:44 pm

There are many people in this country, who have no intention of ever doing any work, just having kids and visiting the pub with our Tax Money, what are we planning to do about them.

Comment by michael polhill on July 23, 2010 at 8:47 pm

The National Citizen service sounds a good idea but how many of the people who should be on this will actually volunteer for it? not many i suspect.
Should be made compulsery for any person when they reach the age of 15.

Comment by Ash Tyrrell on July 23, 2010 at 8:47 pm

All said, well and good….Can I add a question..When will the Government recognise Armed Forces Day as a Bank Holiday..lets make it the Monday after Rememberence Sunday…then all us Veterans can meet up, and have one day of quality time, not worrying about work, etc.. the next day…Thanks and you r doing a stirling job…Ash. T

Comment by Wayne Kitcat on July 23, 2010 at 9:01 pm

A great idea , however I think for those who have been on JSA for say 12 months it ought to be compulsory.

Comment by Robert Taylor on July 23, 2010 at 9:04 pm

This is a good initative, however it does not go far enough. We have a large section of youths who have no intention of working. I work in an school and I see large groups of ex-pupils who have never even tried to get work. The benefits system is too generous and too easy to “work”. I have personally heard teenage girl pupils state that their ambition was to get pregnant as quickly as possible so as too get benefits and claim a council house.
This is what needs to be tackled, the good kids are not the problem but this underclass is.

Comment by Michael MunGavin on July 23, 2010 at 9:05 pm

Hello,I am in full support of the goverment and the big society. Getting 16 year olds doing voluntary work has got to be a great idea.
However, I’m not sure if military boy service is still going but, I joined the army in September 1960 at the age of 15, and completed nearly 20 years, it did me the world of good. I made some great friends and saw a lot of the world for nothing. It gives you self respect and self discipline, which I feel is lacking today.

Comment by Niall Connolly on July 23, 2010 at 9:10 pm

Here in Somerton the local community suffered at the hands of an entirely self-interested Town Council leadership. That leadership led the majority of the (old) Town Council into a mass resignation seemingly to avoid being in office when the depth of their self-interest was exposed.

Today, Somerton struggles with the consequences of the previous administrations stupidity and no-one is accountable to any significant degree.

The current coalition government proposes to abolish the Standards Board and reduce local accountability further. This does not bode well for the future of local goverment.

Comment by Revai Hornibrook on July 23, 2010 at 9:15 pm

The idea of the Big Society appears to be very attractive. The idea of giving more power to the people is rather generalised. My concern is the conflicting interest of the so called multiculturalism where varied individuals fail to unite in our deteriorating communities. Already locals feel outsted and invaded by migrants and religion is causing some tension and barriers. I hope the government will take serious consideration when deciding on rules and legislation that could potentially cause a huge upset in our country. Overall, I rather like the idea of everybody working together to strengthen our communities. potential dangers are an increased number of faith and lobbying groups and an even divided society.

Comment by Id on July 23, 2010 at 9:18 pm

Sayeeda, nice idea, but meanwhile can you help me with the following please?

I had an expensive new Bristan shower-mixer fitted recently. It came with a Five-Year Guarantee. After a few months it started running cold. I called Bristan’s factory in Staffordshire and they refused to come and see to it unless I gave them my credit card details first, over the phone. And there was not a word of apology from them for the broken-down piece of kit that was only a few months old.

I recently bought another brand new Bristan shower-mixer and have tried to follow the directions in the instruction booklet on how to take it apart so that when it too goes wrong, as it probably will at some point, I should be able to fix it myself or at least retrieve the faulty part. But unfortunately it’s absolutely impossible for an average householder to take apart!

Big companies are doing what the hell they like. They are turning simple devices like shower mixers into highly sophisticated and expensive items which the householder cannot repair. One’s only option is to buy a brand new one, at great expense.

Now, how is The Big Society going to control such big corporations and companies which are screwing the little guy like me?

You see, while you are trying to save money by getting all the little people to do work in the community for free, the big guys, the corporations and the companies, are continuing to laugh all the way to the bank. They are laughing at and mocking the ordinary folk like myself, and getting away with blue murder.

No, what we need is even STRONGER control from the top down.

We need GOVERNMENT to tighten up control on the immoral behaviour of the corporations and companies, to get hold of a good amount of all that enormous profit they are making and provide services and agencies WITH TEETH that will really help ordinary folk.

This is what we want you to do.

Comment by Bobby Lockwood on July 23, 2010 at 9:22 pm

I agree totally with the changes being made especially regarding planning letting the people from the towns & villages decide what happens in their community is common sense also it cuts out the some of the back handers that go on.
Carry on with the changes, get rid of the quangos especially PASA & NHS professionals they are costing millions for doing virtually nothing and put the money back into front line staff so that wards can be reopened.
In David I see a great prime minister capable i fell of making history.

Comment by Peter Evans on July 23, 2010 at 9:22 pm

I am impressed with the progress our Tory party is making on the economic front. I also support the National Citizen Service proposals. I have my doubts about how and indeed whether this will produce the result we all hope for however I wish the idea well.
Regarding the Equitable Life debacle published today in the Daily Mail projecting the expected payout announced by Treasury Minister Mark Hoban.
Having raised the hopes of Equitable Life policyholders, it would seem the Government intends to betray and renege on pre election promises. I imagine considerable support was obtained from voters impressed by David’s committment to compensation that should have materialised years ago under New Labour. I realise that government has important issues to deal with just now however I trust Mr Cameron will rethink the Governments intentions on this issue which is very important to thousands of current and ex Equitable Life policyholders.

Comment by Geoff on July 23, 2010 at 9:23 pm

Sounds good but as this unelected coalition has failed to deliver any of the conservative promises I voted for I doubt whether this will ever come to fruition

Comment by irene on July 23, 2010 at 9:24 pm

God help us if helping the people they do as they say and let more criminals go free with slap on the wrist, so much for pre election promises. As for volanteers, we have 5 million people not working, give them this work. This government has broken all promises, i/e no rise in VAT, longer sentences for criminals, Dont believe a word they say, Cameron? Tony Blaire in diguise

Comment by Bobby Lockwood on July 23, 2010 at 9:33 pm

I agree totally with the changes being made especially regarding planning letting the people from the towns & villages decide what happens in their community is common sense, also it cuts out some of the back handers that go on.
Carry on with the changes, get rid of the quangos especially PASA & NHS professionals they are costing millions for doing virtually nothing and put the money back into front line staff so that wards can be reopened.
In David I see a great prime minister capable i feel of making history.

Comment by John Vekony on July 23, 2010 at 9:34 pm

It is wonderful to see that at last there is a real stateman leading the UK.
David Cameron – and his partners, supports, in the government – like Mr Hage, Mr Duncan-Smith and the others, have a vision and plan plan how to turn around our country. It is possible that some ideas will be more successful than others. Time will tell.
One of the reason why I have joined the party was because of the personal integrity of the new leadership and I believe these changes are required and these changes can be done.
We need to give the PM and his team every support what we can.
It is obvious that there are opinion centres in the country what are against changes, in every level. And not only in opposition in the House.
Maybe even in some part of the establishment, because David try to help and move up the very bottom of the society, and at the same time, this very bottom, what is learned and accustomed to exist without work, might not want to change anything.
The uniformed organisations and its related industries, because they could spend and spend without real control.

And maybe others.

Gordon Brown’s old solution, not to give them (enough) money, was just not the right solution.
They have to be controlled by the Parliament and not vice versa.

The most important is to help the industries and agriculture, to support everybody, who can produce goods to sell here in the UK and abroad.
This will generate work for the country, income for the families, tax for the country to support all the required changes.
Wish for the country good luck, that this government will have the energy and power to finish the job properly.
JV

Comment by chris knight on July 23, 2010 at 9:43 pm

Yet more positive and constructive ideas from the coalition. I fervently hope that communities take all this on board and run with it. Once running, it will become self propelling and will grow. Enthiusiasm, sense of purpose, and achievement will be the fuel for its growth.

Comment by John Orley on July 23, 2010 at 9:55 pm

All the best with this, Sayeeda, The waste of talent that is available is a disgrace. Get everybody working together and the country may become GREAT again. Get rid of the ‘snoops’ in local government and give us back our real Police Force on the beat. On a local level, restore the services at Hartlepool University hospital that were taken away by Gordon Brown (A & E and Maternity) after Tony Blair promised us we would never lose our hospital.( to get Ian Wright elected after the Mandleson debacle.)
We have to travel a round trip of 25 miles for some basic treatment without a direct bus service. HELP ! !

Comment by Sharon on July 23, 2010 at 10:04 pm

As many have said, the ones who will volunteer for this aren’t necessarily going to be the ones who would really benefit from the experience. I am not so certain about it being compulsory though as my son already does volunteer work (he is now 15) that he enjoys and I would be annoyed if he was made to do extra that he would possibly not enjoy.

Comment by Caroline Tate Baxter on July 23, 2010 at 10:06 pm

I am a huge fan of the plan for the National Citizen Service. My own children have benefited so much from taking part in the CCF and community activities at school. They developed a keen sense of team work and the value of giving something back to their local community.

To see that a development such as the NCS is a key and early goal for this government is hugely positive and gives me real hope for the future.

Comment by Peter Hagger on July 23, 2010 at 10:21 pm

I agree with all aspects of potential Big Society but hate name.
However it cannot be announced and be taked seriosly when in same week Crispin Blunt announces he was overturning Labour ban on Prison parties.
Lets give some pensioners a party first.
Also Andrew Landsley cannot be serious about not ruling out a death tax after the Conservative Party posters of 12 weeks ago. What planet is he operating on.
Lets get the Conservative part of this government back on tract the step by step enable people to run their lives.

Comment by chris hall on July 23, 2010 at 10:27 pm

excellent idea, just another one to come out of this coalesced progressive goverment, lets hope it takes off for our childrens sake, it may take the wayward gangs off the streets, a new wait and see developement. thankyou for the explanaTORY letter.

Comment by Margaret on July 23, 2010 at 10:28 pm

I believe that you believe what you are saying but if you had been ignored the way the North East of England (Redcar) has been ignored you would not believe a word of it. Corus (Ta Ta) was closed down here with the instant loss of 1700 jobs and we still have no idea why as there were very interested parties it was not sold other than we are well aware that they will be gaining money abroad for keeping it shut. Our local council keeps changing between labour and liberal and we suddely found ourselves with a local cabinet with no say from the people. We have no say – the days of councillors being there for the people has long gone they get such good allowances it has become their job and I could give you many very real instances of both waste of money and fraud by our last MP Vera Baird and others so how can you expect people to volunteer when others are using our mone for their own interests.

Comment by Carol Stead on July 23, 2010 at 10:32 pm

I do think the’ voluntary Summer Camps’, if brought in next year is a wonderful idea, it will hopefully help the 16 years old feel worthwhile and feel there might be a future.

Does this mean the goverment have forgotten our other young adults ? I despaired of yhe Labour Party promising our youngsters on A4E a work /training placement or job.

My son is 20 years old, he has worked, mainly part-time jobs but the ended letting him go. Maybe because the sweetner the goverment offered them ran out? Still to many loopholes.
The first time my son was on A4E he went Monday to Friday all day. He had strcture of a working day, something to get up fo in the mornings.
Since he lost his last job, he has found himself on A4E again. Not monday to Friday, but once every 3weeks if he is lucky. For an appointment to see how he is trying to find work. Something the job centre used to do when he signs on, but not now.
The Conservatives slammed Labour for not doing enough for our youngsters, but because of budget cuts my Son and others have lost funding. So once again no work /training placement or job promisend.

No wonder our youth has lost faith with political parties, they have broke their promises again.
The on your bike scheme is an insult, there are no jobs. My son went for a job last week,where over a THOUSAND people went for.
Not every one wants to be on jobseekers so please do not insult them. HELP THEM.
My son wants a job, he is very dissalussioned with life.
Wake up and help him and others, they did not ask to be born.

Comment by chrissy on July 23, 2010 at 10:32 pm

Another Idea ,seem to have heard things like this when Labour were in , since the election nothing really has changed or will change these MP’s just don’t listen to what the Public / electors want,and just do what they think we want or what they want,l same as the idea that we tell them what to cut, tell them but they won’t CUT what the public or electors want, nothing nchanged there then!!!

Comment by Ernest Walmsley on July 23, 2010 at 10:34 pm

Idea sounds good but local councils listening to the rank and file of the borough this I would like to see,I hope this idea works out.

Comment by Ghanwhyam on July 23, 2010 at 11:03 pm

I agree entirely with the speech and action now taking place

Comment by Sarah Tonin on July 23, 2010 at 11:07 pm

I have worked unpaid in the voluntary sector for many years in different sectors. I am currently a charity trustee.
This is how it works: Once the project is off the ground a whole pile of people who never cared about the cause in the first place appear like magic and appropriate the kudos and any jobs brought in by the funding the unpaid volunteers have managed to secure. The volunteer trying to improve their skills – and maybe hoping to get a job that pays real money to live on – is passed over in favour of someone new who is, “qualified”. The volunteer is naturally very welcome to stay around and continue to work for nothing. Next the cause falls out of fashion, the dosh is gone, sometimes wasted, the project is dropped. Who is left to pick up the pieces? ah! – the unpaid volunteer of course.
Britain has been held together by unpaid workers for years, the Big Society is not new, we are just forgotten and undervalued. Don’t expect too much more from us, most of us need to do real paid work too.

Comment by G.Southern on July 23, 2010 at 11:49 pm

I think the idea is great the structures for organising are available through existing voluntary groups. eg WI,Rotary,Lions etc.
They could be used to ensure the volunteer groups have some support.

Comment by NIGEL BROCKETT on July 23, 2010 at 11:55 pm

fourth time lucky. Well I think that a project for the young people is a great idea, but what about the veterans and ex police officers who serve their country and at the end of their service they are patted on the head and sent on their way. OK they have a pension but cant get a job and a large amount of them end up in prison or commiting suicide. Involve us in some form of vol work. I am already a vol unteer with my local centre but there are so many that there are more people than jobs, so I am also a P.A.T. dog handler (vol). Talk to Andrew Bingham (high Peak MP) the area is swamped with volunteers, but no help from centre Government only red tape. Please watch all the yes minister and yes prime minister shows it might help to get round the civil service as they are going to block you all the way. But please make it happen for the good of this country, before it is too late.

Comment by Christopher Bell on July 24, 2010 at 12:12 am

Please retain the SDC. It is an effective system of ensuring that the cabinet get the right data on sustainable development without which, implementing green policies will be extremely difficult.
A big society should also be a green leaning society and the retention of the sdc would be a step in the right direction. All that expertise for just a few million pounds..

Comment by Pat on July 24, 2010 at 12:25 am

Think this should be compulsory not voluntary. I spent 4 years in the WRAF (voluntarily) and I’d do it all over again, even the bad times when I wondered what on earth I’d been thinking. I met and mixed with every creed, colour and culture from all over the UK and we had to learn to get on together. Am still in touch with some people I met then – we’re all older and greyer, and now have grandchildren, but our shared experience was so good for us. But am concerned that so many people now have become used to the idea that ‘they’ will sort out all the problems, and weaning them off this idea will be like weaning a baby off the breast, or bottle.

Comment by Ken Taylor on July 24, 2010 at 12:29 am

I was pleased to see your assertion that ‘local people, not distant bureaucrats, know best how to run their communities’. Please remind David and Nick of this and ask them to abandon the crazy and unwelcome plan to have part of the Isle of Wight covered by an MP from the mainland.

Comment by sonny sambucharan on July 24, 2010 at 12:51 am

David Cameron,s government vision for the future would serve the public interest and preserve the principles of productive socioeconomic and psychosocial lifestyle of the youths and younger generation. It would be an impossible task just by speeches and politics. He must be prepared to invest in local hospitals, GP surgeries, health centers and the able private providers to set up programmes to attract those with traumatized family lives, drugs and alcohol problems, antisocial behaviours and those who are trying to have a break through to reach their full potentials. He must continue to weed out those employees with the professional stutus of clinical specialist, counsellors, and psychologists who are not effective in their roles and not fit for functional duties to help motivate and stimulate realistic interests with the group of people they they see. I can give examples of thousands of cases where these facts can be proved. He would need to make radical changes within professional groups to give clearer and transparent accounts of the services they are paid to provide and their viability and committments to continue serving the core purpose..

Comment by Bee Crisp on July 24, 2010 at 12:51 am

The ‘ev eryone to university’ mentality of the Labour government and the death of vocational training such as nursing, building trades etc has left many young people who are not academic feeling inadequate and frustrated. At the otherf end of the spectrum we see the working society treating anyone over 50 as far too old and unemployable despite their vast experience. Yet we need people of 50 to continue for another 15 to 18 years. Use these very experienced people who have a strong work ethic to train the non academic young people to learn trades like carpentry, cookery, child care, plumbing etc etc etc and help make 2 sets of people (that society has turned their backs on) feel more wothwhile.

Comment by Fiona Murray on July 24, 2010 at 6:01 am

National citizen Service seems like a wonderful idea, but being non compulsory it might well being avoided by the very people would benefit most. The well fed, well loved, well educated child might find “social responsibility” interesting and worth pursuing….but will the neglected, cashless teenager brought up in a sink estate and who left school at 13 feel the same?

Comment by Mr R G C Williams on July 24, 2010 at 6:30 am

The move is welcome but we must ensure the power is devolved to elected councils. We also need government legistlation to support councils to speed up the process of law for action such as the removal of illegal Travellers sites.

Comment by Jo Wood on July 24, 2010 at 6:41 am

As the manager of a charity with 70 volunteers, I support the idea of volunteering and being involved. However, volunteers need management and support to carry out the work that they do and it is becoming more and more difficult to fund such posts. A scheme like the Big Society would benefit hugely from a fund for solid volunteer management similar to those previously run by volunteering England. Run & administered along the same lines, this would actively encourage volunteer enterprises.

Comment by John Atkins on July 24, 2010 at 7:04 am

I am a huge fan of the principles behind The Big Society allthough I cannot say I am enamoured by the name.
However there does seem to be a bit of a split personality developing in some policy proposals where the coalition is suggesting anything but freedom from central government.
Take the enquiry being set up to look at funding of pensioners care and the inclusion of the “Death Tax” in it’s remit.
We already have a tax to provide free health care and even though it is raised to the status of sacred cow it is, in fact, a hugely inefficient organisation which is, in most cases, run for the benefit of th staff rather than that of the patients.
You now propose to create a new service to provide for the care of the elderly where we (the elderly) will be forced to pay for a service that we do not want.
We will be forced to pay for a service that in many cases we have arranged to provide for ourselves.
We will be forced to pay for a service that will, almost certainly, be of a very poor quality as the elderly are not good at complaining.
We will be forced to pay for a service that should,by any measurement,be managed by our families and not the state.
Surely this “need” is a classic example of how we can be encouraged to take back responsibility for ourselves and our families. Rather than hand over a lump of cash and an ageing granny to the state, to dump in a quiet corner and medicate into a vegetative condition, we could create a financial model that would make it possible and attractive for families to care for their own. In the small number of cases where there is no family we could encourage local care by voluntary bodies where the individual remains in their community and does not become a faceless and mindless object in a state run home.

Comment by Ian Gilmour on July 24, 2010 at 8:11 am

Very good idea but existing laws will have to be looked at regarding the protection of volunteers.Let me give you an example. Last year before the snow was on the ground I asked the Parish council to supply rock salt so that myself and other residents could clear the snow.This they did and we cleared the snow and kept the streets of our village open.However we were informed that because of health and safety laws we could be sued if anything happened to anyone.

Comment by Len Newland on July 24, 2010 at 8:22 am

I am a volunteer. I am treasuer of a community centre. WE have run on volunteers for the last twenty years. The Grenwich Council have informed us that our grant could be cut back by as much as 50%. Without the grant, there will be no community centre. I would suggest that each case has to be looked at on it’s merits.

Comment by gwyneth crawley on July 24, 2010 at 8:24 am

I had the privilege of being the Head Teacher of one of the first 50 grant-maintained schools, introduced in the Educational Reform Act of 1988. We had total control over our expenditure and it was one of the most satisfying periods of my working life; exhilarating, frightening because of the enormous responsibility we had taken on with little previous experience, but with a conscientious and supportive Governing Body and a team of able professionals within the school we made an outstanding success of the venture. It was changed back to Local Authority control by the Blair government of 1997, a tragedy. If you have able, conscientious people in charge of local power-structure, they work can well, but there must be some sanctions against incompetence. We found that fear of failure was a good motivator!

Comment by Paul Rouse on July 24, 2010 at 8:29 am

Im a great admirer of Sayeeda because she always seems to apply her common sense, unlike so many of her ‘peers’, who do not seem to think these things through properly.
On that basis it gets my vote, and I would like to draw her attention to the comments by Messrs Cook and Pinnock above.

Comment by Ray KLnight on July 24, 2010 at 8:29 am

At last, a sceme for all. Young and not so young working together. Maybe now we can rebuild our vilages and towns. Get to no our neighbour’s and become friends. The not so young guiding teenagers(of all ages). I hope now can build, rather than smash up our bus stops and phone boxes. Lets get some pride back into the people of Britain. The finest nation in the world.

Comment by lewis on July 24, 2010 at 8:33 am

Our Youth need some form of Service as to learn of team work [ togetherness] having trust in one another. Learning Self Respect,and Respect for others.And there should not be groups within society ,setting up there own splinter groups that Cut themselves off from the Rest of society, in respect of there Differing Ideologies.For Harmony is built on Common Ground.Government has a Responsability for the way it Pigeon Holes, and Isolates ,peoples away from the rest of society, you can only then start to Love your Neighbour if in fact he is just that.Those of us growing up in the late 40s and 50s will remember a time of Togetherness Trust and Substance .There came a wind of Change in the 60s, rebellion against the norm, anti establishment, and out of it a loss of respect for oneanother .Let us all look forward to a Season of Bettermeant One with another .

Comment by colin woodward on July 24, 2010 at 9:00 am

NCS a great idea. But will it tap into the talents of the learning disabled? The Big Society needs to be inclusive. As a councillor I am increasingly impressed with contribution those with LD’s can and do make.
Quango abolition? Well, experience of Learning Skills Council is that when you cut of the Hydra’s head it reappears as 3 more quango’s or morphs staff into local govt. Beware! (And do get public sector severance payments down to reasonable levels please).
GP devolution – don’t forget accountability. Local surgery said to my Council, (when asked to explain patients complaints about appts), “we as a business don’t regard ourselves as accountable to anyone!”

Comment by Ashok on July 24, 2010 at 9:19 am

The ‘Big society’ is a good idea if implemented properly.There are pleny of examples world wide . A good example is the decentralization of power which started in 1994 in the small State of Kerala in South west India. There, powers were given to the community to decide on what is to be done in the community ,plan and prioritise the works and to provide voluntary help if necessary . Even though people in Kerala were sceptical about this in the begining, they later realised the benefit of having a say in the local issues which affects them. So, I am sure Prime minister’s “big society” will be a good idea if monitored properly.

Comment by Derek Arnold on July 24, 2010 at 9:50 am

Excellent initiative but there is drastic need of change within local councils and the civil service. Gormless Clown and his Marxist government put far too much power into the hands of people in little jobs. When a simple matter is handled incompetently and 35 formal complaints are made yet no action taken by the local council, then you know something is drastically wrong. We have far too much “you will comply or else” disjointed legislation in place that means the people of this country are painted into a small corner often not knowing which way to turn; damned if they do and damned if they don’t is the expression that comes to mind.

This country has to be run by people who are competent and accountable. Local councils and government have to be sanctioned for getting in wrong the same way they expect to sanction the people of this country.

So by all means decentralise but at the same time, those doing the job muse be accountable in the same way we are expected to be accountable.

Comment by john edwards on July 24, 2010 at 10:10 am

millions of us have worked in, with & for the ‘community’ and for generations, from youth to old age. There are no barriers other than those set by officious, gouging, and dense councils, who waste our money daily & pay themselves mightily while scuffling up the greedy ladder.
Then you have the 30-40 years of mass population increase, declining literacy & ability to construe with clarity, a triple layer of black economy forced by economic stagnation, force fed by welfare – more children = more money – less workforce …… plus sanguine fanatics luring ‘ the West’ into pouring money and young lives into an endless, needless crusade, which will build up their agenda to inherit when they are good and ready, then belly up to the bar of the great & good as bona-fide patriots. How easier to have our familes & communities shattered & divided by the pointless death of young soldiers than by running the risks of instrumenting bomb plots. They don’t even have to issue threats as our own oracles do [ pace:- 'WOMD! 40 minutes!!!! - T.Blair]. Cometh the hour, cometh the Man/Woman. What hour might that be then?
Yet there is great energy & brightness evident all about. Your intentions are good, though it’s like turning round an aircraft carrier with a rope attached to a rowboat, but please realise it’s all there and in action, has been for centuries. What you must do is allow it to freely enact & grow by removing those charging tolls – which whether ‘official’ or concocted, is a loathsome display of petty ‘quota’ devotion by jobsworthies. Lets go do it Sayeeda.

Comment by Malcolm Rudge on July 24, 2010 at 10:11 am

The level of interference by Government and their agencies in the everday actions of British businesses and British citizens had reached a damaging level. It is very important that this is reversed so that government is regarded as supportive and not intrusive. These initiatives are certainly going in the right direction.There will, of course, be critics, usually from the ranks of those who have been encouraged by former governments to have negative attitudes towards business and who have been able to expand their empires on the back of excessive powers granted to them by legislation. Everybody paid from public money should be rewarded on what they add to the economy rather than how much they can extract from businesses.

Comment by John Kirby on July 24, 2010 at 10:12 am

I cant see what is new about the big society as there have been organistions which have been staffed by volunteers all my life such as boy scouts, girl guides, youth groups etc. In my own village we have a Community House which lays on several social events including many suppers in aid of various charities, both a male voice choir and ladies choir, an old Cornwall Society and various church and chapel groups. In my own case I am a member of a group which prints the parish magazine as well as documents for many of these voluntary organisations as well as for some small businesses.

Comment by Alan Hawkes on July 24, 2010 at 10:22 am

Saffron Walden has a fully functioning cinema – Saffron Screen – run by volunteers. Also do not forget that most communities have service organisations such as Rotary and Round Table. Acknowledging their work would be good.

Comment by Alan Hawkes on July 24, 2010 at 10:26 am

This is a little tangential, but in Britain the Police are supposed to be part of the “Big Society” – citizens in uniform whose primary function is to protect the public. The failure to bring any proceedings in the Tomlinson case is disquieting. Justice being neither done or seen to be done and the Police appearing more like a state militia.

Comment by Anthony Baker on July 24, 2010 at 10:32 am

Get rid of clearance required for volunteers since it causes added dangers e.g people abdicate to computers as, I believe, the headmaster concerned with the Soham murders did not check references since there was computer clearance. Any computer system can be hacked into and data bases cause risks as the Pentagon has discovered. Also bring back individual responsibility since meetings are where people nod off!

Comment by Mark Baron on July 24, 2010 at 10:33 am

I’m happy this week- you talk about rebuilding Britain: I’m rebuilding my life.
I’ve a new job cutting out parts for boilers- please Conservatives help private business to help me.

Comment by Berenice Anderson on July 24, 2010 at 10:44 am

I have always voted Conservative and indeed assisted Andrew Percy at the last Election, however I am concerned that despite 3
e-mails to his local office regarding a local problem all I have received is an automated reply. We are constantly asked to support the Party and our MP but it would appear that this is not reciprocated

Comment by keith husted on July 24, 2010 at 10:45 am

this volunteering in my opinium will not work with the attitude of todays youth, if they can just sign on, either make it compulsery or dont give them any money until they have at least found work for at least two years if the parents have to keep them it might kick start some of them to do somthing about their kids.
if giving more power to local councils and such wont this increase their interference witht our lives thers enough beurocrats in our council all ready paying themselves bloated saleries then telling us they have to cut services mostly attacking the pensioners

Comment by Christine Liles on July 24, 2010 at 10:46 am

I also feel it should be compulsory, deprived young people are not going to volunteer for this, or even know that it exists. I would prefer to bring back National Service or something similar. Someone needs to get a serious grip of what is happening on our streets and local communities, I was hoping it would be the coalition government.

Comment by Margery Comer on July 24, 2010 at 10:48 am

Most people will be able to see that this government will slowly change some attitudes in this country. Of course, the general public cannot get more involved at the moment because of excessive paperwork and costs involved in CRB checks. Often several checks for different organisations costing unnecessary amounts of money for duplicate paperwork. Although one cannot legislate for common sense, I think that in general there is large proprtion of it about – but not in the public sector unfortunately. Too many bodies “justifying” their jobs by unnecessary rules. A case in point: Last week I was driving along a deserted road through a very small town at 11.30 at night. Conditions excellent, and I wanted to get home. Absolutely no-one about. This morning I received a rather nasty letter from Lancashire Constabulry informing me that I had been “speeding” at 36 mph. Do councils need more persuasion to exercise some common sense? Should the 30mph restriction not be eased after 7 pm in these areas?

Comment by Lyndon Evans on July 24, 2010 at 11:03 am

This is all well and good, but there needs to be changes elsewhere. For example, in the winter snow, I do not clean my pavement because if someone falls after I have done the work, they may sue me. Also, if I see youngsters engaged in vandalism, I walk away, because if I intervene, the police will arrest me, but will take no action against the vandals. what are you going to do about that ???

Comment by Dave Allison on July 24, 2010 at 11:12 am

The country certainly needs to keep its skilled workers, how about using the skilled workers that have been forced into retirement to work alongside the young ones to receive practical skills they are unable to learn at College.

Comment by john on July 24, 2010 at 11:15 am

comendable in theory, but and it is a big but. if as is likely people are going to have to work longer for less wages for the forseeable future. how then are they going to have the time and energy! for such community driven projects?

Comment by w.windsor on July 24, 2010 at 11:27 am

I was interested to hear on BBC’s Today programme 0that policing major football matches costs the public purse a considerable amount of money. From this I gather the Football Association do not contribute? If this is so then we need a rethink. a) Policing should be compulsory and b) the FA made to pay for it all. There is far too much money available in football and therefore I see no reason why the tax payer should contribute anything at all.
Another thought – in this time of recession. in order to raise capital why don’t we make a nominal charge for prescriptions of £1.00 for all pensioners. It would be easy to apply and not prohibitive. This might also help to prevent those inclined from obtaining items on prescription that perhaps are not really necessary!. W.Windsor

Comment by John Blyth on July 24, 2010 at 11:35 am

A simply wonderful idea to set up vo;untary schemes to improve the well being of local communities. But it must not be overlooked that being voluntary does mean that many of the younger people who are causing problems in communities are not the type who would wish to volunteer to help locally! The opinions of my family and many friends suggest that to reach the core of people to help build locally a compulsory period of certain age groups should be adapted, similar to National Service. Over 8 years in the Royal Signals taught be so much about good citizenship andhelping others through Team-work!

Comment by Mrs Fay Kelly-Tuncay on July 24, 2010 at 11:36 am

Hi Sayeeda,

Can I just take up the point of, “National Citizen Service… will mix young people from different backgrounds. It will teach them about social responsibility.” I really think you need to consider the cost of the organisational structure and expertise that will be needed to go into this. My feeling is that too much cash will be taken up with just creating the organisational structure and not enough will be left over to put into the activities themselves. It was mention that £13.5 million would be available to fund this. I really think this cash should be put into existing youth organisations with an excellent track record such as the Duke of Edinburgh Awards, the Brownies, Scouts, Guides and also grants given to the after school clubs and local youth clubs.

I know that middle class children tend to join these activities anyway, so the challenge is to made sure no one is excluded, so the cash should be aim at out reach work getting lower income families to participate. As it stands David Cameron’s National Citizens Service seems to be snubbing existing youth organisations and trying to re-invent the wheel – or is this just hubris on his part?

Comment by Charle on July 24, 2010 at 11:53 am

Sayeed,
How do you intend to prevent the worst sides of Nimby – ism.

Comment by angela edmondson on July 24, 2010 at 12:13 pm

I am pleased that the Conservative government has taken this approach to community. I have been working in the voluntary sector for 25 years and have seen the deterioration of qualitative care for the most vulnerable.
There is a huge need for volunteers from the retired sector, people with real skills that can support people with parenting skills, life skills and resettlement skills. I welcome the elderly being able to volunteer but I would like to see CRBs being received more quickley as this delay stops people from working/volunteering.

There is also a lot of skills young people could acquire while they are unemployed. It does not make sense to allow able bodied people to sit idle when there is a huge need for people to contribute to society in any way they can.

Lastly, there needs to be a bigger campaign for companies to see the benefits of donating/sponsoring charities. The USA have this down to a fine art. This needs to happen in the UK.
I wish you well in your campaign, as a charity we could certainly benefit from more community input

Comment by BILL FULLER on July 24, 2010 at 12:15 pm

The idea of local control sounds a good one, but to quote a paragraph in your letter “And underlying all these changes are some very clear Conservative beliefs. That local people, not distant bureaucrats, know best how to run their communities. That decisions are best when they are taken locally. That if you give people more power, they will behave more responsibly. And that government can’t solve all our problems on its own.”
Does this include the directives coming from the EU ?

Comment by june Darby on July 24, 2010 at 12:15 pm

I agree entirely that we need to get our youth working together for a better future. It will give them encouragement and a better understanding of the needs of others plus give them a window to decide on the future that they wish to map out for themselves. A really great healthy idea without the usual military indoctrination.

Comment by Margaret on July 24, 2010 at 12:21 pm

It’s a good idea to encourage people to volunteer and hope that it works. I agree wholeheartedly with John Blacker’s comments and he is right to say many of our young people would prefer to be earning and looking for a roof over their heads. His final sentence is the key point and please David Cameron take note!

Comment by Brendan Faulkner on July 24, 2010 at 12:26 pm

If it helps to give the young a target to aspire to rather than the X-Factory expectants we have today then it can only be a good thing, most young kids are direction-less, lets give them hope.

Comment by Frank Brennan on July 24, 2010 at 12:54 pm

Its all very well coming up with new ideas on a weekly basis, but wouldn’t it be more beneficial if the party HONOURED its election promises, instead of breaking a new one every week

Comment by Derek Wagstaffe on July 24, 2010 at 1:03 pm

I agree in principal to the suggested idea. But this country is still divided. There are no set rules for local councils. Some help the veterans some (including mine, dont) I live in Hebburn controlled by Labour South Tynside Council. The MP is David Milliband. Need I say more. I have tried to mix in the community but the local local Newspaper The Garette has not published one of the numerous letters I have written. My MP in Hebburn is Stephen Hepburn.

Comment by Joyce Parkes on July 24, 2010 at 1:16 pm

I agree that a lot has to be done to make Britain great again, but what is your or any government going to do about hospital doctors who like in my husbands case ruin peoples lives. He was starved of oxygen and in need of 24hour care the hospitals response to this is to put up a wall of silence as to how it happened. Solicitors are as bad as all they want is to demand all of our money and give nothing in return.

Comment by Howard Kitson on July 24, 2010 at 1:24 pm

Dear Baroness Warsi

Thank you for your email. As someone who engages in local community matters in Reading, I feel that a more appropriate slogan than “Big Society” would be “Responsible Society”. For example, vast areas in towns like Reading have been destroyed by greedy property developers and buy-to-let landlords. These people appear to care nothing for the local environment and the adverse impact of their poorly managed properties on surrounding owner occupied dwellings. Tenants often feel no sense of responsibility for the upkeep and visual appearance of the properties in which they reside, as the properties are not theirs. Ironically, some social housing is now being adversley affected by neighbouring ex-council houses rented to sharers and which are in a shocking state! Some three bedroom 1960s terraced ex-council homes in Reading are now let as 5 bedroom properties (deft use of stud partition walling) for up to £1500 a month! The evidence of multiple occupation of these properties is plain to see, with multiple wheelie bins unkempt frontages, multiple vehicles per household etc. I am sure that when the concept of allowing council tenants to buy their council houses was put into practice, the idea was that ownership would breed responsibility. This has back-fired as ownership has in many cases generated a sense of greed.

I am trying to get the poorly controlled state of the private rental sector as a issue to be addressed by our local neighbourhood action group. I feel however that it will be an uphill struggle to get Reading Borough Council to use its powers under the Housing Act and Environmental Protection Act to make an example of landlords and tenants whose properties are a blot on the landscape and de-value surrounding owner occupied properties.

I am aware that the nature of the “family unit” has changed somewhat over the last couple of decades and that more and more properties are occupied by groups of un-related people. I see no reason why such properties should need to stand out like a sore thumb.

Yours sincerely

Philip Howard Kitson

Comment by Michael Wheeler on July 24, 2010 at 2:44 pm

If only this could happen. That local people do things for themselves without the meddling red tape that inhibits our efforts. It is not necessarily from big government it is County District and even Parish Councils who are afraid of risk that prevents locals in villages from performing and carrying out simple tasks that make such a difference to our well being. Can’t cut the grass because a stone might fly into the cab of a passing bus (one an hour), C Road, causing it to crash killing all on board (perhaps 3 or 4 people) unless we have a £10 million insurance cover. Could also kill that flying group of Pigs winging its way down to have a day out at the seaside. East Sussex County Council is the Council. The same council says that it does not care about aesthetics but we do and we area prepared to pay and do our local environment jobs. Not possible. In 2009 we spent £9000 raised locally on local projects, as we do year after year. During this period of restraint I am quite sure that the environmental aspests of local authority spending will surely be the first to go.

Comment by A Thorpe on July 24, 2010 at 3:51 pm

Nothing will happen until councils have to consult on the services they provide and these are the most important. In Brighton the council are refurbishing swimming pool changing rooms. They were recommended to consult local residents about the preferences by Sport England. The council did not do this and has a result we will have half the number of toilets in the new facilties and men and women will have to change them. The big society has to do something to prevent these situations being imposed by councils who do not care about local views.

Comment by Anna Tandy on July 24, 2010 at 3:57 pm

Great idea on paper and there are many of us over 60 who would like to get involved as we have the time, BUT how do we go about all this change. We are ready to volunteer our time but without simple direction how do we do what is asked of us, against the local councillors etc. Lets get some serious ideas to help us. It must be like going back to school, to learn how to start from the bottom up again

Comment by Martin Greenwood on July 24, 2010 at 4:06 pm

I support all you say about the need to inspire the young and the local communities.
As a volunteer and committed helper in the local community e.g as Chair of Governors of our local primary school for many years, the abolition of multiple CRBs is critical. For example, we have a very successful Holiday Week for 100 children which is seriously handicapped (financially & practically) by the need to obtain CRBs for say 30-40 helpers, many of them quite unnecessary e.g. for teachers.
Such abolition fits perfectly with Coalition policy. I hope you can see that this matter is dealt with swiftly. My local MP, Tony Baldry & Nich Hurd, the Minister, are both aware of my concerns. Thank you. Martin Greenwood

Comment by Roger Hook on July 24, 2010 at 4:12 pm

I just wanted to add my thoughts on waste. I wasnt sure how to do so on the Big Society email.
We all know of horror stories about local and central Gov. waste due to the way the budgets work. They must be changed.
I heard last week from a salesman of kitchen cabinets.He received an order worth thousands of pounds in March for kitchen cabinets. The reason was that a budget “had to be spent” so that at least a similar figure would be given to that council the next year. These cabinets were never installed in the council houses as envisaged. He found them all dumped in skips, still in their new wrappers. A dreadful waste of rate payers money.

Comment by Richard Fell on July 24, 2010 at 4:30 pm

I used to work in the NHS.
I recall an attempt to computerise work patterns so that everything that should be done for each patient admitted to hospital was done. Unfortunately, ‘higher authority’ felt that every hospital could follow a single
programme despite advice to the contrary from IT skilled medical consultants.
The result was a multi-million pound loss as a result of software for one hospital being totally inappropriate for another which provided a different range of services.
I absolutely support decentralisation and locally devised protocols in the NHS and elsewhere.
On the other topic of national service, I see no objection to compulsory non-military community service during the year after school or university. Personally, I see no objection to military service but can see that many might object. There used to be a thing called a vote to decide these matters which seems to be falling into disuse. Perhaps that needs to be re-empowered?

Comment by michael on July 24, 2010 at 5:45 pm

how much tax payers money has been saved since the coallition government came in to being exactly – all we hear is how much is being cut & not how much has been saved so far

Comment by annie on July 24, 2010 at 5:57 pm

I am looking forward to hearing how individuals can help and contribute. These are great ideas, but will depend on peaople taking up the challenge

Comment by annie on July 24, 2010 at 6:09 pm

I support the idea by William of local builders being able to do up run down/un-used properties for low cost housing – rental or purchase.

I’m sure loads of builders would be happy to get involved in this I

Comment by Fanny Thomas on July 24, 2010 at 7:09 pm

Surely volunteer lay magistrates are the best possible example of the Big Society – local, voluntary, useful, in fact so good that if they didn’t exist and work so well already I doubt the Big Society would be able to invent them. So why are they being laid off and many local magistrates courts closed down?? Should Baroness Warsi not step in and stop this happening?? I hear also that many more cases are now being transferred to big district courts and that district judges are being hired at £100k to replace the volunteers. Topsy turvy world, or what!

Comment by MICHAEL ALBURY on July 24, 2010 at 7:22 pm

The non military, non compulsory National Citizen Service, is also a NO COST service.
I have noticed that things like this are a good idea whilst going, but coming back they will bite you in the end, and that will be the wrong end.

Comment by John Quinlan on July 24, 2010 at 7:54 pm

People should be proud of their country, we should be proud of our politicians, proud of our councils, our area, our street and our home.

During the last thirteen years things have slipped terribly, a huge shake up is due from both the top down and the bottom up. Council house tenants who let their home slip into disrepair should be reminded that it is a privilege and told to sort it out.

There is no excuse for have front gardens filled with rubbish, broken windows boarded up with cardboard, flaky dirty paint or generally untidy. If folks want to make their homes better then they should be able to decorate the outside of the house and recoup the cost against their rents. If the tenants are unemployed there is no excuse at all why the houses at least should not be kept spick and span.

If the houses become better looked after, the streets will be better, if the street are better less people will drop litter, if the area is better people will feel better and take a pride and we can once again start calling our country Great Britain.

Comment by Raymond Pidgley on July 24, 2010 at 7:58 pm

To serve 23 years in the Royal Marines, and then have to put up with 12 years of Labour Rule is enough to make you want to emigrate, but now I can help to build the kind of country that we should all strive for, Good Luck to David Cameron.

Comment by Jean on July 24, 2010 at 8:08 pm

Thank you for your e mail. i agree with others that the idea to help the youth is excellent but should be compulsory. it is only for a short time and those needing it most will probably not attend.

Comment by Clifford Fuller on July 24, 2010 at 9:43 pm

Hi Sayeeda,
Perhaps Mr Cameron should put the Big Society aside for a few moments and read some recent history.
In 1940 Britain was a junior partner to no country. We were alone in defending our country and the whole world from the evils of Nazi Germany. The Yanks did not declare war on Germany untilafter they were attacked by the Japenese in December 1941. Without that stand there would be no society, big or otherwise.

Comment by cassandra on July 24, 2010 at 10:46 pm

I think in theory it sounds OK to encourage young people to do voluntary work, but there is also another side to this. The parents need to get their act straight, there are a lot of parents doing their damndest to instil into the children a sense of responsibility but there are many more who do not. It is the parents who are falling down when teaching how to be a responsible parent.
Life is more than football, drinking booze and the constant whine of “we have nothing to do” They have plenty to do if they only look around for it themselves.

As an older person as a child and until I was into my teens (no such word then) I was not allowed to roam the streets at all hours of the night, nor was I allowed to not have hobbies and interests with which to amuse myself and those hobbies and interests included Girl Guides, halping to care for my grandparents after school, putting on shows for the community, and teaching myself new skills, outside of school.

At school we were taught the important subjects of Maths, English, geography and history. I have in recent times been horrified at the lack of basic knowledge our junior staff have.

Such activities as football, dancing, singing lessons were done outside of school hours and paid for by our parents, who by the way did not the the level of Family Allowance or Tax Credits and goodness knows what other benefits there are around for them. There was football for the boys once a week and gym lessons once a week for the girls as well, but we had cookery lessons (not opening a packet of stuff to mix up and opening a can as taught these days) no wonder the diets are all to pot, they can’t cook. that time was devoted to teaching necessary subjects. There was not all these “fluff courses” as there is now in local Colleges used as a means to get benefits and nothing more.

Boy Scouts, Guides, Cadets were all good forms of service and training now looked down on as being “for soft kids” and even bullied for because of their membership.

Comment by Robin on July 24, 2010 at 11:29 pm

I agre with many others that volutary service the young is an excellent idea. it not helps the community but also helps to build the volunteers charcter. When I was younger (and much older until recently) I did voluntary work/service and i found it immensely helpful and rewarding.

Comment by KB on July 24, 2010 at 11:43 pm

To quote:
That local people, not distant bureaucrats, know best how to run their communities. That decisions are best when they are taken locally. That if you give people more power, they will behave more responsibly. And that government can’t solve all our problems on its own.
Yes, I very much agree. Now can we apply the same principles to the EU? It just seems so obvious that we should withdraw, much of our current inane bureaucracy emanates from there, and we have lost much of our local (sovereign) power to choose the best course of action for us. To say nothing of how much money we would save that could be better used – rather than maintaining a gravy-train for has-been politicians.

Comment by Peter Gordon on July 25, 2010 at 12:06 am

Sounds ok but will wait and see. We have seen Quango promises now let’s see some action. By that I mean publicise your actions, if not via the media then via this blog.

May I suggest that in order to alleviate the considerable cost of, for example, interpreters (I am not referring to courts), that Churches and other organisations which support immigrants, be invited to provide their own people with translation facilities by volunteers.

Comment by J McTigue on July 25, 2010 at 8:34 am

I would like to see the National Children’s Service compulsory for those over a certan age – in partuclar those not in education for one reason or another.

Comment by Heather Allen on July 25, 2010 at 8:54 am

Careful Dave, you are on very thin ice! There is nothing NEW about Big Society but care needs to be taken in the new way it is promoted and supported. The coalition will kill volunteering if volunteers are portrayed as substitute deliverers of key local services, replacing paid staff. This is an unavoidable association given the impending spending cuts. Confused TV reports this week haven’t helped – they use the terms “volunteers” and “voluntary organisations” to mean the same and show people (supposedly volunteers) emptying bins. Volunteers involved in local decision making – great. Volunteers of all ages involved in developing local community services – great. Volunteers “used” to replace key local paid workers – a Big NO! People thinking about volunteering will be put off if this is the image they have.
Young people already volunteer in Big numbers but what is often lacking is the support within charities to ensure their offer of help is taken up. Labour had it right with putting resources into developing skills in volunteer management. Community activists, whether paid or voluntary, need the skills to engage others and maintain their interest. Volunteer management doesn’t have to be over bureaucratic, and I’m pleased to see that red tape will be reviewed as part of Big Society.
Local decision making involving partnerships between public, private and voluntary agencies is important – BUT isn’t this just what we have already in Local Strategic Partnerships? I hope Dave has done his research and isn’t re-inventing a Big wheel. I, along with many in the voluntary sector, wait to see the detail of his Big Society, which is so far very lacking.

Comment by Barry Thomas on July 25, 2010 at 9:15 am

Dear Sayeeda, As I see it David Cameron has the right idea in letting us, in general, to express our opinions. Ther is some good talent out there with bright ideas. It’s nice to see sense at last. The Labour government were dictatorial – almost communist in my opinion. All out to sting everyone – especially the motorist who is out to do his/her business in order to make a crust. Pleased to receive your news.

Comment by Janet Rogers on July 25, 2010 at 9:49 am

A very good idea. I hope that there will also be opporutnities for the active retired.

Comment by Jill Elson on July 25, 2010 at 10:13 am

As a Conservative involved in chairty work there are a few realisms that has to be told. Many chairites are having to either close down or consolidate due to lack of funds. Donations, sponsorship and grants are reducing during the recession and there is no interest on capital/investments. Chairties are like businesses and must be considered as such although more flexible. Local Authorities and statutory agencies (NHS etc) are reducing to their core functions/mandatory services which means many discretionary payments are being severely reduced or stopped. No one is going to accept any loan unless they can raise sufficient funds to pay off the loans. The Lottery rules should be changed to the original intention – if a scheme is succesful after the initial 3 years it should be able to apply for continuous funding, at the moment no lottery funding is available for the project to be continued hence many closing down. Examples of difficulties are funding for Hospices – Exeter only receives 23% from the NHS, the rest has to be raised locally – this has reduced so they are having to make savings. I am founder and Chairman of Exmouth and District Community Transport Group we made a loss of £2000 last year and are being told by businesses they can no longer support us, LA funding is likely to be reduced, donations are reducing so we are consolidating but are aware we may close in 2012.. We provide Dial a Ride services so if more people live in their own homes they will not be able to get out without us. (www.exmouthringandride.co.uk) Government is considering stopping BSOG which means we will lose £3000 per annum.

Comment by Cllr. Manji Kara, Harrow on July 25, 2010 at 10:34 am

Why not compulsory?? Our teenagers are so vary of any thing new is that they would run a mile from it. We will end up paying lip service to what is an excellent concept. Make it compulsory – an add on activity to school / college programme.

Comment by Graham Rogers on July 25, 2010 at 11:01 am

Good idea in principle. As a recently retired locum manager working with a national charity I experienced many situations whereby volunteers were not managed as they should have been., The recruitment process, through a regional office, was hit and miss and even then there was little or no induction. Follow-on management and training was sketchy thus people tended to either suffer quietly (and mumble) or disappear off the radar.

So my advice to David Cameron et al, is to make sure there is an efficient management team heading this new Big Society of volunteers.

Comment by michele hutchinson-brown on July 25, 2010 at 11:11 am

What an excellent idea. Too many young people seem unaware of the consequences of there actions in so many area’s. Maybe invite a few parents too ! I love the idea of communities caring about all aspects of the environment and area they live in. Keeping the pavements clean outside their shop, emptying the bin in the street near you if its full, Pubs clean up the cig butts (not just sweep them into the street) Macdonalds send out staff to clean up the mess or give some discount if you return your used macdonalds packaging. How exciting to see England turn its self around and become Proud Again of all aspects of life in the UK.

Comment by phil Holbrook on July 25, 2010 at 11:17 am

Great stuff The less able fo instance need direct assistance, not just money. We must not back down inthe face of the synics on the big society issue as we did with “back to basics” Post industrial deconstructivism has to be fought.

Comment by C.G. Lewin on July 25, 2010 at 11:23 am

Experience shows that voluntary organisations, in order to succeed, need sufficient paid administrative staff at the centre. The Big Society needs more people to volunteer, but this will only happen on a significant scale if sufficient funds can be made available to pay for enough staff and other resources at the centre of each organisation. This will require grants, not loans. Does the Government propose to make grants for this purpose itself, or will it organise private firms or wealthy individuals to do so?

Comment by Fred Swallow on July 25, 2010 at 11:27 am

I fully support the view Anoma and family. There is a need for some form of compulsion to target the trouble makers on the street any young person who is breaking the law should have to do some form of Citizenship Training. Without this it will only reach the limited audience that other schemes already have.
It has already been stated that the pool of retired persons must not be forgotten as many can still be of great benefit to the nation.

Comment by Denise Smith on July 25, 2010 at 11:34 am

Right behind The Big Society. I hve always volunteered and in retirement am busier than ever. Volunteering makes people happy, uses skills and gives a direction in life. But choosing the right volunteering opportunity is important, not launching in and then hating it.
Keep up the good work.

Comment by robert griffiths on July 25, 2010 at 11:34 am

Transfer of power to unaccountable organisations will not improve the working peoples lives. At least with local Government there is democratic control for people who are not directly involved with an organisation.
Volunteering is fine, start with Bankers rather than the low paid..

Comment by Andrew Tagg on July 25, 2010 at 12:06 pm

The Big Society can be a means to change society for good or it can become another good intention that falls by the wayside. As a person who is involved in local sport I have witnessed the decline in people willing to volunteer and the mountain of paper work and with it increasing costs that volunteers sports clubs have had absorb. For the Big Society to work we have to put common sense back into the system. The Health and Safety at work act was written after the Flixborough disaster and was not intended to encroach on every aspect of our lives. Child protection was not intended to make every adult have to prove they are not pedophiles, by filling out CRB checks. All this legislation is preventing people from volunteering in their communities.

If we are going see community groups grow in areas that are suffering social deprivation we must strengthen the Police given them Powers to remove the thugs who are scaring people from taking leadership in their communities. The ASBO system needs repealing its too long winded.

If we are going to get funds to the coal face of the Voluntary sector we must simplify the funding application process is so complex it deters the very local organisations who can make a difference and rewards the large organisations who can afford to employ the bureaucrats to write the applications.

Until we make changes or repeal whole swathes of legislation the Big Society will not succeed.

Comment by laurence miller on July 25, 2010 at 12:24 pm

Devolution of power to local bodies sounds well in theory, but the records of some local councils in wasting millions of pounds throough sheer incompetence inspires no confidence whatever. Just three recent examples:- two West Midland Councils have lost millions of pounds over IT contracts and my own has expended £75million+ on a ‘white elephant’ project. The latter continues to incur costs without any apparent return. If local bodies are to be given more responsibilies, then make them accountable!!!

Comment by Jackie Terry on July 25, 2010 at 12:41 pm

How can we do anything when our Local Council Castle Point never listens, only carries on as if nothing has been said. just one of many points: Canvey Pool.

Comment by John Peacock on July 25, 2010 at 3:30 pm

It is all very well getting volunteers but the majority will, as always come from the middle and hard working lower classes. This idea will do nothing to encourage the 25% underclass and criminals we are all supporting . Make prisons and the Law more frightening than their own kind and make! don’t encourage the workshy back to work. Any work will do even if it is demeaning

Comment by Thomas Coomber on July 25, 2010 at 3:48 pm

Whilst I agree in principle with what is being said I feel there is too much emphasis being placed on the younger generations and, most definitely, the ethnic minorities, e.g. work experience at the FO. It is the older generation with the skills to to teach and pass on the skills won from past, and sometimes bitter, experiences who need to be considered on an equal status. This is borne out by the PM’s recent comment regarding Britain’s place in WW2 in 1940 which, having lost my father in Caen 12 days after the Normandy landings in 1944, I find totally out of order and adds substance to my earlier comment about the older persons ability to pass on both knowledge and experience to the next and subsequent generations.

Comment by mayank patel on July 25, 2010 at 7:10 pm

i am surprise , that’s sound good but , how would you take non- British cityzen. for your programme ?
thank you

Comment by Graham Rogers on July 25, 2010 at 7:37 pm

Great progress so far with all the initiatives. However, a word of caution from an experienced manager of volunteers.

Generally the response to a call for help for volunteers is extremely positive. But and a big But; they need careful management. It is my experience as a locum manager for a national charity working in all areas of the country from Shropshire down to the Isle of Wight, that potential volunteers complete the initial proforma only to find that the ‘office’ has either sat on the application or ‘lost it somewhere’. So whoever manages this project for the Big Society may I suggest they keep their eye on the ball vis a viz the process of recruitment, induction, introductions, follow-on management and continual training and development. Otherwise, I regret the potential of tapping a fantastic source of enthusiastic helpers will be lost – all because of poor mananagent!

Comment by ian hollas on July 25, 2010 at 8:46 pm

I have been working for years as a volunteer without being recognised and without payment what is going to change

Comment by ian hollas on July 25, 2010 at 8:52 pm

the labour party are now a killjoy party so handle them with firmness-they will attack anything that the coparty will announce

Comment by Catherine on July 26, 2010 at 7:55 am

I agree, people need to be inspired and take responsibility as well, there is nothing worse then feeling un-inspired which leads to being idle which leads to silly behaviour.

Keep us posted and thank you for the change that is beginning, that young people may begin to rise in a responsible way

Comment by John Hinchliffe on July 26, 2010 at 8:06 am

I broadly agree with your intentions and the NCS concept.It has gone before in various forms and I’m thinking of ‘Operation Drake’ and ‘Raleigh’ that really impacted young people though on a limited scale.It can be done but if under resourced will keel-over.
It seems to me,and this is solely my personal view,that our Cadet Force organisation could be used more extensively than hitherto.The Sea Cadets is a charitable organisation and in some areas of the country could be used to fulfill the youth projects you have in mind and in turn be sustained by Govt funding to do ‘the work’.Overall though,you must cut away all the intimidating paperwork and resultant inertia surrounding volunteering and let it all gain some momentum.
Bare in mind that approx.5% of any available working population is unemployable in any event, even before you assess them on relative skill levels.Focussing the young will keep this percentage down.

Comment by Helen Piper on July 26, 2010 at 8:27 am

I was told over the weekend that someone I know refuses to work overtime (at time and a half) because this will cut his Housing Benefit. They have 4 children and the wife doesn’t work. This is outrageous that my taxes are paying for lazy irresponsible people having children they cannot afford

Comment by John on July 26, 2010 at 8:42 am

In principle devolving decsion making to local people is a worthy idea but my (Labour) local authority cannot be trusted with such power. They are already far too autocratic and pay scant regard to the wishes of the people.

Comment by Francesca Nowne on July 26, 2010 at 8:46 am

Thanks for the updates – there are three matters that concern me as a mother of three
I have three jobs one as a parish clerk and i have concerns about planning regulations and appeal systems. I have served 20 years on the hastings bench as a magistrate and am concerned about the proposal to alter the age of accountability in this country and i run a small tree surgery business and have been crucified by the bank in the last year which is supposed to be supporting us.

Comment by JulesLt on July 26, 2010 at 9:03 am

Ah, what lovely people you have commenting here – some of them sound like they have no souls or humanity left.

Anyway, that’s not what I came to post. The Big Society sounds wonderful in theory, and is the sort of Conservatism I can actually admire – it is the opposite of ‘there is no such thing as society’, but a recognition that a civilisation is constructed through the ties we have to each other.

Unfortunately, the world of work has changed greatly, even in the last decade, but certainly over the last 30 years. Those of us lucky to be in work now find ourselves working 40 hour weeks, plus maybe another hour or two of commuting every day – our free time has shrunk hugely.

Equally, it now takes two full time jobs to maintain a decent home in any of our major cities. We arrive at the end of each week exhausted, our families having barely seen us.

Now there are a lot of people out there who do have time to volunteer (the single and alone, retirees, the lucky spouses who do not have to work full time) but that doesn’t sound like a Big Society. Some of us would contribute, if only we could get back the 10-15 hours a week that we have lost to work (without losing 20% of our pay, of course!).

Comment by Colin Bell on July 26, 2010 at 9:45 am

I thought the Duke of Edinburgh’s scheme had similar aims– why not build on that?

Comment by Semo Serroukh on July 26, 2010 at 9:57 am

Dear Baroness Warsi,
I am writing to express my gratitute to you for your hard work. I do fully support The Big Society idea, and I am fully committed to help in any way I can. I am already helping young six forms to become entrepreneurs with Young Entreprise London in the voluntary sector.

Please do not hesitate to email me for any assistance you may require in my local area in Southeast London.

Semo

Comment by Nick on July 26, 2010 at 8:58 am

Our new, non-military, non-compulsory National Citizen Service will help change this. It will mix young people from different backgrounds. It will teach them about social responsibility. And it’s going to inspire a whole new generation of young people to appreciate what they can achieve.

Comment by Linda Flanagan-Parks on July 26, 2010 at 10:13 am

B rilliant idea, BUT !!!! This is ok for those with time on their hands and food on the table, people need jobs! as a professional person i try to give back in all directions, but as a single parent it is hard to find the time to contribute on a regular basis, family comes first. It should however be obligitory for those claiming benefits, and the young on job seekers allowance, one day a week is letting them off lightly, unless they have an interview to go to. And the ethnic community should have to contribute outside their communities, this would surely help them to intigrate, and if they dont want to intigrate SEND THEM BACK! and i dont care how long theyve been here!

Comment by Mike Edwards on July 26, 2010 at 10:18 am

I am wholely on side with Mr Camerons declared policy. Give people a sense of purpose and the wherewithall to do something useful. But please be consistant; you are abolishing Regional Deveopment Agencies – are you replacing them with something that is simpler but still local or is the organisation to be melded with central government?

Comment by Tony Harris on July 26, 2010 at 10:18 am

Interesting article but still the important issues are not being addressed.
Youthunemoployment is being fueled by the private sector rents being charged by landlords and funded by the benefits agency.
At £580 per month for a single bedroom flat unemployed people cannot find work that pays enought to to pay thier own rent and while the announced limits on rent proposed are welcome the limits are still far to high. I would like to see a sensible figure introduced for houses and flats that would allow and encourage unemployed people back in to work.
Your comments would be welcome

Comment by F W GRAINGER on July 26, 2010 at 11:27 am

“National Citizans Service” seems a good idea, even if it does sound a bit like “Citizan Smith”
It is all very well oushing the concept, but unless it is properly funded and organised,it will be another good idea never to get off the ground.

Comment by Barry Dixon on July 26, 2010 at 3:23 pm

Great ideas, but when are you going to honour your commitment to fairly compensate the Equitable Life victims. You seem to now be in favour of a complete whitewash based on the scandalous report now published. Labour didn’t hesitate in bailing out in full all its supporters with Northern Rock and Icelandic Bank accounts. You need to spend some time making sure your core voters are getting the right compensation for the Government’s errors over Equitable Life. How about giving your retired supporters the respect they deserve!

Comment by Brian Ring on July 26, 2010 at 3:52 pm

I do agree with the underlying policy but how can local authorities be trusted when the councillors at BARNET vote themselves such unjustified and arrogant increases, against the wishes of most of the local community, particularly the Conservatives?

Comment by Francis Law on July 26, 2010 at 4:34 pm

I whole heartedly agree, working together for a better future for all.

Comment by Martin Akehurst on July 27, 2010 at 9:44 am

I really don’t see what the big issue is. This method of ‘rolling up your sleeves and getting on with it’ has been basic in the USA for generations – and, indeed was prevalent in the UK from the war years until it was trashed by Labour’s ‘We’ll do it with your money’ approach.

A bigger concern with this is the drain of older experience leaving the UK as people with skills age and decide that the UK is not for them.

I belong to a number of groups of older (60-65) professionals of whom the majority intend to retire abroad. I would also add, considering the negative reaction to David Cameron’s ‘Turkey entry to EU’ speech a lot more will join them – including myself!

Comment by John Jochimsen on July 27, 2010 at 9:56 am

Having thought about the whole volunteer scheme, I felt it time that you knew about our group that has run a police office enrirely manned by us for over 14 years. It is in Southwater, near Horsham in West Sussex. Last year I and several other were awarded with 12 year commendations from Sussex Police. The ofice was opened by the Lord Lieutenant and i 2006 we were awarded the Queen’s Award for Volunteers. It was the first police ofice to be entirely manned by volunteers in the UK and is still going strong. I am now 81 and still do my stint once or twice a week, now other forces are trying to get organised after we have been going for over 14 years.

Comment by Keith Mayhew on July 27, 2010 at 10:28 am

Keep up the good work.

Comment by Richard Steil on July 27, 2010 at 4:11 pm

I agree entirely. but please include military and police options.

Comment by rosie on July 28, 2010 at 7:49 am

This comes as a huge relief as my colleagues and I who work in public services wondered what we were going to do with our time once we wre. All made redundant! Now we can carry on doing our jobs and just not get paid for it! None of us has high powered highly paid jobs, just the ones that keep our services running.

Comment by Michael Mann on July 28, 2010 at 1:40 pm

Thank heaven that at last you are proposing a civilian form of youth or national service.I was serving in the RAF during the last National service period.Many of the recruits even qualified for aircrew.Many of them learned to take responsibility and carevfor others.

Comment by john on July 28, 2010 at 11:02 pm

With so many fantastic people around it makes me wonder why so many of you bothered to do paid work at all. Why didn’t you just volunteer your services for free?
How much volunteering have the members of the coalition done lately, after all they’re big on ideas so how about leading by example if we’re in such dire straits?

Comment by Sean Smith on July 29, 2010 at 5:53 pm

Sounds like a WONDERFUL plan – Try publishing details about it in the newspapers

Comment by Chris D on July 30, 2010 at 8:03 pm

If you had any idea at all of the hundreds of thousands…indeed, millions…. of people already doing unpaid voluntary work, you’d get a shock. Masses of them support the tourist and leisure industry, museums and culture, health crisis support lines, community buses…..the list is endless. In other words, we dont need Government ideas on this. The other thing to point out is that many of these volunteers already work FULL time in other jobs and are giving up hours of their private lives to offer further service.
As for the young people’s community service thing; Young folk need paying jobs, not messing about in community service, serving teas to old ladies and walking dogs.

Comment by mel burnside on July 31, 2010 at 8:43 am

Thank you for your updated emails and letting me know what is going on as regards policies,goals etc.Keep up the good work and i look forward to the next update.

Comment by LILI SAEIPOUR on August 1, 2010 at 1:53 pm

yes i very much agree with what you say if we have a passion for the younger futher of our children and futher then we can see the best for our own and the coming gerneration. As they say it the past if you work harder in what you belive nothing is impossible everthing is done in the perfect action if done in the right way and deceplin and confidence and right guide. Nauturely everthing starts from home how a child is brough up how there background is who there parents and family are . so the vital key is family , guidence and a helping hand .

Comment by Bryn Jones on August 2, 2010 at 9:36 am

I would like to think the new initutives will have a long term effect on the next generations, but without sufficient paid jobs for young people, disillusionment and discontent will prevail. If older people are working longer, this slows down the intake at the younger end, resulting in another generation of benefit claimants. As far as benefits payments go if the average working income is £25K then total benefits should not exceed £20K and no housing benefit. A vast number have been living beyond their means and the government has been funding this.

Comment by Brian Sharp on August 2, 2010 at 12:05 pm

Everyone working together for the common good, is just fine. But we all need a say. And that’s not possible with the current voting system. If I’m a conservative in a rock-solid labour stronghold, I might just as well not bother to vote. In which case I have no say through the, so-called, democratic process. This is fundamental because I’m being excluded. looking in from the outside as it were, but then graciously allowed to contribute to a ‘stronger, bigger and responsible society’. Thank you so much.

Comment by Francis on August 2, 2010 at 6:12 pm

Considering the terrible mess inherited can’t people take the Election result on the chin and strive to follow the wishes of the electorate (which was that no one party was considered popular enough to run this country)?
Yes we do all have to make sacrifices- belt-tightening is not usually done for the fun of it but rather for the long-term benefits.
Let us congratuulate those who have started to turn things round and not allow the (few) to undermine the sucesses

Comment by Kenneth Fontana on September 21, 2010 at 8:07 pm

Comment on Baroness Warsi,
Sounds good but remember that when the Labour Party last returned to power they were full of “Good Ideas” like Health and Safety etc. which had a nasty habit of back firing. Invariably they mean more Civil Servants and more expenditure and ultimately more debt. Just be careful that you do not get drawn into this downward spiral of expenditure. Remember, the Lib Dems are also big spenders if given a chance although, in fairness, Nick Clegg does seem to agree that Government spending must be cut.
By the way, my hobby horse right now is the Act of Settlement. I have been banging on about its repeal for some time and the Papal visit has again drawn my attention to it. When is this iniquitous, unjust, Un-Christian and disgraceful law going to be abolished?