Not a recent "Book at Bedtime" I’d admit. Einstein’s "General Theory of Relativity". Something about trains and clocks. But probably easier to grasp than "The Big Society". I’ve tried. I really have. Read the PM’s speeches. Downloaded the pamphlet. It was a very wet day. But still none the wiser. I see the words but their meaning eludes.
But it got me thinking. China’s a pretty big society. Maybe there’s a thing or two we could learn from them. Like empowerment. A vital part of David Cameron’s vision. You see, there’s been bit of a scandal over here. Local militias. Think Neighbourhood Watch with armbands and attitude. One of the more outspoken regional newspapers publishing extracts from their training manual. Advising that when using violence, best not to draw blood. Pinochet would have been proud.
Relevant? Surely not. Suggest, then, you read up on the Community Safety Accreditation Scheme. Quickly. Of course, I’m not suggesting they’re an unruly bunch. Sure they’re well intentioned. But they do have powers ordinary citizens lack. All part of the Big Society?
