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Cameron’s ‘fight’ speech is really the fifth re-launch of Big Society
Many commentators noted that David Cameron was markedly quiet about his ‘Big Society’ plans at this year’s Party Conference but Parliamentary social enterprise advisor Robert Ashton says that the ‘show the world some fight’ speech is the same thing.
“The problems remain the same; a growing demand for support services and less money to pay for them. Add in a struggling economy, a housing crisis and more and you quickly see the mess we’re in,” said Mr Ashton, who is also a successful social entrepreneur and business author.
“I’ve said all along that all the Government can do is set the scene. The problems are actually bigger than politics and need the combined impact of millions of small actions to bring about the changes we all want to see.
“Big speeches at big conferences are all very well, but it’s what each and every one of us does locally that matter most. That’s where the efficiencies will come from; it’s where the waste of resources will be eliminated and where ordinary people will feel they are part of something worthwhile.”
Mr Cameron’s speech made constant references to British victories over adversities in the past and included the phrase ‘It’s called leadership’ seventeen times.
The Prime Minister said: "Remember, it's not the size of the dog in the fight – it's the size of the fight in the dog. Overcoming challenge, confounding the sceptics, reinventing ourselves, this is what we do.”
“Churchillian rhetoric is fine but Churchill had the benefit of a visible, breathing, ever nearing enemy,” said Mr Ashton.
“It’s far harder to whip up the necessary patriotism and sacrifice when the enemy is a toxic cloud of social, economic and environmental poison permeating the very fabric of our society.”
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