BIG debate about BIG Society

The Prime Minister said groups should be able to run post offices, libraries, transport services and shape housing projects.

The BBC report posed the thought that he was being forced to re-launch it because of a lack of interest first time around.

David Cameron went on to say "Things that fire you up in the morning, that drive you, that you truly believe will make a real difference to the country you love, and my great passion is building the big society."

In many ways I’m with him. I started voluntary work when I was about 14, helping as a Scout with the 8 to 11-year-old cubs.

I’ve run a youth football club. I chair our fantastic local college and am a trustee of Lancaster University Student Union.

That takes me a day and a half or more but is nothing compared to what others do day in, day out; night in and night out.

Youth groups, older folk’s groups, community groups, cancer groups, MS groups, religious and sports groups, the lifeboats, mountain rescue, the British Legion, Third World support groups and environmental projects.

There isn’t the money on Earth to pay for the hundreds and thousands of hours that millions of folk across our communities, our nation, across the globe give willingly to make this world or their street a better place.

But is there a line to be drawn? Are there things that should be done for free, out of a sense of passion, a calling to serve others?

And are there things that we all should pay for?

Let’s have a BIG debate about BIG Society.