Only 8% of coalition MPs actively back “big society” by volunteering

By Mark Ferguson / @markfergusonuk

David Cameron attempted to relaunch his floundering big society project today – but it doesn’t look like his MPs are behind him.

Over the last six months the people at the-big-society.co.uk have contacted every coalition MP on a number of occasions – asking them to detail what voluntary work they undertake.

The results have been somewhat underwhelming. From the data submitted so far, it appears than only 8% of coaltion MPs actively support the big society through their own volunteering efforts.

This will pile further embarrassment on Cameron following the fiasco of his “big society tsar” scaling back his hours. If he can only get 8% of coalition MPs on board, how will he succeed in the Tories ambition as stated in their manifesto:

“for every adult in the country to be a member of an active neighbourhood group”

They may have said that we’re all in this together. In reality, only 8% of them are backing up their rhetoric with action.