Results 1 to 9 of 9

Thread: The Big Society

  1. #1
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Oct 2003
    Location
    Southampton
    Posts
    6,709
    Rep Power
    13

    The Big Society

    The Tories need to make up their mind.

    Wasn't it Margaret Thatcher who said "There's no such thing as society"?

    Maybe she couldn't see it because it used to be smaller....

  2. #2
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Oct 2007
    Location
    Oxford
    Posts
    677
    Rep Power
    9

    Re: The Big Society

    In both cases, you have the Tory Prime Minister trying to define what British society should be. In Maggie's case, it was to define it in terms of individualism. In Cameron's case, it's to define it in terms of some homogeneous conformity to his ideals of what Britain should be. Maggie failed because society is too complex (and, for want of a better word, too big) to define in simple, one dimensional terms. Cameron's ideas will ultimately fail because society is too dynamic and diverse (and big) to fit into his rather simplistic ideals.

    An interesting comment from Alistair Campbell on his blog. This may be heresay (and he's hardly a neutral commentator), but the story he reports is telling:
    I have much enjoyed the retelling of a ministerial meeting recently at which the LIB DEM said he (or might it have been she?) said he/she was worried that the policy under discussion did not have a Big Society element. The (senior) TORY in the team piped up … "oh do grow up. That's code for cuts."
    If I could believe that the concept of the big society was driven by a positive social ideology, I'd be for it. In that frame, it's basically saying we need to work together to improve the local communities where we live. I can't see any reasonable person objecting to that. However, in practice, it appears to come from a far more negative economic ideology of, "we need to save money; we've decided to cut as hard and as far as we can (because we, ideologically, believe Government should be small). So we're not going to help you any more, so do it yourself or your screwed."

  3. #3
    Papa Smurf
    Join Date
    Jan 2002
    Location
    Planet Scathe
    Posts
    12,528
    Blog Entries
    6
    Rep Power
    18

    Re: The Big Society

    Quote Originally Posted by geoff332 View Post
    If I could believe that the concept of the big society was driven by a positive social ideology, I'd be for it.
    Well, indeed. But its a conservative party idea, so "it's code for cuts" was practically lasered onto the frikkin moon the moment the policy was announced. Or maybe I am just naturally cynical and non-cynical people actually though "oh what a caring comunity bettering idea. I love David Cameron" ... c'mon, hands up who thought that

  4. #4
    Papa Smurf
    Join Date
    Jan 2002
    Location
    Planet Scathe
    Posts
    12,528
    Blog Entries
    6
    Rep Power
    18

    Re: The Big Society

    oh and i'm sure this maybe in peoples inboxes already, sent to me by a Forestry Commission employee (i worked there recently)


  5. #5
    Commercial Operator
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Location
    Sussex by the Sea
    Posts
    9,276
    Rep Power
    15

    Re: The Big Society

    Quote Originally Posted by Dreadful Scathe View Post
    oh and i'm sure this maybe in peoples inboxes already, sent to me by a Forestry Commission employee (i worked there recently)

    As a former card carrying member of the Conservative party I take exception to the swearing on this av. In my experience Consevervatives will slit your throat whilst staying polite at all times.

    I don't know enough about the subject to agree or disagree with the rest. But the addition of the swearing reduces the credibility of the author and makes me think it's all rubbish. It might even be true, but we really don't need to hear all the swearing, do we?

  6. #6
    Papa Smurf
    Join Date
    Jan 2002
    Location
    Planet Scathe
    Posts
    12,528
    Blog Entries
    6
    Rep Power
    18

    Re: The Big Society

    Quote Originally Posted by Andy McGregor View Post
    As a former card carrying member of the Conservative party I take exception to the swearing on this av. In my experience Consevervatives will slit your throat whilst staying polite at all times.

    I don't know enough about the subject to agree or disagree with the rest. But the addition of the swearing reduces the credibility of the author and makes me think it's all rubbish. It might even be true, but we really don't need to hear all the swearing, do we?
    I think it's fair to say that the swearing adds a bit of unsubtle arrogrance, and is not strictly necessary to make this point, but swearing is immediately dismissive and the addition makes it slightly funnier as it is every UK taxpayer/voter who is being dismissed.

  7. #7
    Commercial Operator
    Join Date
    May 2003
    Location
    Northeastern Parts
    Posts
    5,221
    Rep Power
    14

    Re: The Big Society

    This one is highly amusing too. No swearing, so Andy's delicate ears should remain unoffended.

  8. #8
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Apr 2004
    Location
    Bristol
    Posts
    3,166
    Rep Power
    11

    Re: The Big Society

    Quote Originally Posted by geoff332 View Post
    So we're not going to help you any more, so do it yourself or your screwed."
    Nothing has changed then

    If Cameron really intends to get rid of the nanny state, I am all for it

    but I very much doubt if the cuts will affect the paper pushers, just those at the sharp end of the stick

  9. #9
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Location
    London, United Kin
    Posts
    3,896
    Rep Power
    9

    Re: The Big Society

    Quote Originally Posted by Andy McGregor View Post
    As a former card carrying member of the Conservative party I take exception to the swearing on this av. In my experience Consevervatives will slit your throat whilst staying polite at all times.

    I don't know enough about the subject to agree or disagree with the rest. But the addition of the swearing reduces the credibility of the author and makes me think it's all rubbish. It might even be true, but we really don't need to hear all the swearing, do we?
    I don’t think I swear too often but I think it depends how much you despise the policies and plans of this government, as to how funny, appropriate and acceptable you find the swearing.

    I have always found humour a good form of attack


    I thought it was one of the funniest sketches I have seen in a while

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

Similar Threads

  1. Big Brother 2005
    By Lou in forum Chit Chat
    Replies: 95
    Last Post: 13th-August-2005, 05:17 PM
  2. Big Forum Gathering Threads - Where should they be?
    By DavidY in forum Forum technical problems / Questions / Suggestions..
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 9th-June-2005, 11:01 PM
  3. Big Love Show Flyer
    By RobC in forum Chit Chat
    Replies: 25
    Last Post: 8th-October-2004, 01:17 AM
  4. Big Night Out
    By Amanda in forum Let's talk about dance
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 23rd-May-2002, 12:46 AM

Tags for this Thread

Bookmarks

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •