As we prepare for the Big Society to mop up where the Big State used to be and ministers call for a culture of philanthropy to replace the hand out culture, I have a suggestion for the millionaire axe men of the Coalition government.
After the Comprehensive Spending Review, David Cameron should order each government minister to publish details of his or her charitable giving and the number of days a year they spend on voluntary work.
This, after all, is what they are demanding of the rest of us. The richer members of society will now be expected to underwrite the arts and the charitable sector, while the rest of us volunteer to take on the functions of the public sector.
On Depatches last night, my old friend Antony Barnett’s revelations about Andrew Mitchell and Philip Hammond’s financial affairs showed, at the very least, that the pair have a bob or two between them, so let them show how much they are contributing to the Big Society.
Britain’s best politics newsletters
You get two free articles each week when you sign up to The Spectator’s emails.
Already a subscriber? Log in
Comments
Join the debate for just £1 a month
Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first three months for £3.
UNLOCK ACCESS Just £1 a monthAlready a subscriber? Log in