SO THE Prime Minister is ‘passionately’ pushing his pet theme called The Big Society and hoping, perhaps praying that the public will respond wholeheartedly to it?

I have my doubts, owing to previous airy-fairy promises he made, unfulfilled since joining up with the Lib-Dems, to save his political skin.

A parallel may be seen in a general telling his troops the big battle is about to commence while at the same time denuding them of the necessary arms and equipment to start it.

The government appears to be using the tactics of drastic reduction in services, then, when strong opposition occurs, throws in a few millions in an attempt to placate the protesters.

My idea of a Big Society – and I wish we were all together with this view – is a nation, while recognising great economic difficulties, realises that these catchwords are spuriously rhetorical when all three party leaders cagily refuse to defend their country against external intrusions.

Meanwhile, the Coalition comrades’ antics might urge a small change in the old adage to ‘Marry in haste – resent at pleasure'.

BERNARD CLARK, Poole