So What's the Big Idea?

Say what you like about Norman Tebbit (and many do) but he knew his way around the Tory party. His electoral salesmanship, as Party Chairman, of the benefits of industrial privatisation and the sale of Council houses landed Margaret Thatcher her third win in 1987 and was the high point of her premiership.

The idea of former Council tenants entering the property market was simple, affirming and emphasised a commitment to social mobility. But Cameron's 'Big Society', an obvious attempt to devise a 21st Century equivalent, is complex, daunting and feels just theoretical.

When parents are less than satsfied about results at their children's school, it hardly their first reaction to cast around for others to help set up their own. We expect the neccesary improvements to be made, not to wrest responsibility from the professionals.

Most of us have lives crammed with activity, with barely enough time to watch the news. I don't know anyone who has so much spare time, they actively considered establishing their own job centre co-operative.

There is also considerable unease about putting so many local public services on a commercial basis. Here is Fry and Laurie's fine critique of privatisation. Dated as well as being very topical.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vLfghLQE3F4

The selling of the 'Big Society' on doorsteps has been greeted by the public with sparse enthusiasm. One shadow minister conceded to the Guardian, "it needed to be put into more practical voter language". Another called the Big Society 'bollocks'. Le mot juste.

Like many senior Tories, old Tebbit still has plenty of contempt and bile. But fortunately most of it these days is directed at his own party.