British Prime Minister replant faltering "Big Society" programme

LONDON: British Prime Minister David Cameron will replant his faltering "Big Society" programme after a series of damaging blows to the plan for volunteers to take over local services, Sunday's Observer newspaper said.

    Cameron has identified himself closely with the flagship policy, which builds on his Conservative party's belief in smaller government by devolving power to local people.

    But c 8-month-old coalition with the smaller Liberal Democrat party has struggled to explain the strategy to the public, undermining his authority and exposing him to ridicule.

    People still have little understanding of above policy with half believing it is a "gimmick" and 40 percent saying it is a cover for spending cuts, according to opinion survey for the Sunday Mirror and Independent on Sunday. Cameron and his ministers will spend the coming week defending the programme and detailing 100 million pounds ($160 million) of funding to help charities and volunteer groups compete for government contracts for the first time, the Observer said.

    Cameron will also announce in the coming weeks plans for a "Big Society university", backed by a multi-million pound endowment, to train community workers.

    "The big society is about changing the way our country is run. This is not another government initiative. it's about giving you the initiative to take control of your life and work with those around you to improve things," Cameron wrote in the Observer.

    "People have the compassion, flexibility and local knowledge to help their neighbours and communities. Our approach will not merely enable them to build a stronger society, it will actively help them to do so," he said.

                    Copyright Reuters, 2011