SIR,
Listening to David Cameron talking about his 'Big Society' the other day made me think of the sort of admirable selfless, co-operative, collective and altruistic ideas more usually associated with Socialists.
Such ideas run counter to the competitive, acquisitive, 'stand on your own two feet', and some would say selfish and exploitative tendencies of many within his own party.
Little wonder that there is so little support for the concept amongst his own people.
The current arrangements for providing public services suit most people. No one wanted to take over the running of the nation's forests.
More locally, no-one came forward to take over the running of the town toilet block and the town council had to step in.
Most people want the council to collect litter, grit and mend the roads and look after planning, libraries, museums and sports centres.
The last thing most people want is to spend their time trying to provide these services.
What Cameron and his ilk want is a small state and a 'small society' with low levels of tax and impoverished services.
These thoughts and others will be mulled over at the next meeting of Monmouth SOS (Save our Services) at 2pm on Saturday February 26th at the Shire Hall.
Peter Short
(Monmouth)