Big Society ‘Vanguard’ City Drops Out of U.K. Initiative

Liverpool, which last year agreed to become one of four “vanguard” British communities that would develop projects to carry out the government’s Big Society vision, has dropped out of the program, The New York Times writes.

City officials said they reconsidered after learning how deeply and quickly Prime Minister David Cameron’s government wanted them to cut public spending. They said the government did not follow through on promises to reduce red tape and provide tax relief to help charities affected by the budget cuts.

“It seemed hypocritical to be standing up and saying, ‘Here we are, a flagship for the Big Society,’ at the same time as we were having to make cuts whose impact is going to have a devastating effect on our voluntary sector,” said Paul Brant, a City Council member.

Liverpool’s qualms echo questions being raised throughout Britain over Mr. Cameron’s ability to enact his Big Society initiative to enlist nonprofit and community groups in providing public services while simultaneously slashing spending.