Prime Minister David Cameron bids to bolster his Big Society idea with a visit to the People’s Supermarket
Food for thought with PM’s top-secret shopping
Published: 17th February, 2011
by RICHARD OSLEY
DAVID Cameron was accused of dodging the big questions about his Big Society plans during a visit to Holborn on Monday morning.
The Prime Minister visited the much-lauded People’s Supermarket in Lamb’s Conduit Street as he tried to generate new interest in his policy of encouraging people to take on more voluntary work.
The store is staffed by people living nearby who are paid through discounts on their shopping, a model praised for its neighbourhood spirit and alternative set-up to the big supermarket chains.
A Channel 4 documentary spread over three weeks has ensured that the shop and its creator, Arthur Potts Dawson, is riding a crest of good publicity. The eco-minded chef behind the Acorn House restaurant in King’s Cross grew up in Camden.
But Mr Cameron was greeted by protesters angry at wider budget cuts as he arrived at the front doors and was accused of “skulking” out of a back door to avoid the embarrassment of facing them again when he left.
Notably, his press team did not invite the West End Extra or its sister paper the Camden New Journal to attend or ask questions – a move out of keeping with previous prime ministers.
Instead, local Conservatives, many of whom were also not informed that their top man would be on their patch, were left to explain the thinking behind the Big Society. There were slightly different interpretations and when the New Journal spoke to Tory councillors yesterday, all agreed it is about people giving up spare time and resources for the common good.
Leader Councillor Andrew Mennear said: “I can’t see how anybody can be against the idea. Labour would moan whatever we did, which is a shame. The Big Society has the same principles as the welfare state. We are encouraging people to give a little more. David Cameron has even talked a lot about co-ops.”
But Cllr Mennear admitted that cuts to voluntary services would not help the development of the Big Society.
“This is where it comes down to deciding where is best to make savings at the Town Hall,” he said.
Don Williams, another Conservative councillor, said: “Sadly, the country is overdrawn and there is a limit to the financial help we can give, but we will work our way back.”
After initial start up losses, Mr Potts Dawson believes The People’s Supermarket can now thrive on the support of its neighbours. He wore the unmistakable branding of a yellow T-shirt as he showed Mr Cameron around.
Whether the project’s model – for a shop, rather than a community service such as a library – is part of what the Prime Minister has in mind was a matter of discussion among politicians trying to eke the fine detail of the Big Society out of Mr Cameron this week.
Holborn and Covent Garden ward councillor Julian Fulbrook said: “I thought the best joke at the Big Society launch was from John Bird of Big Issue fame. Maybe that applies here? A man goes into a shop and asks where the camouflage jackets are. The shopkeeper replies ‘Yes, they’re good aren’t they’? Was Cameron in camouflage at our People’s Supermarket? The Big Society is all about camouflage for the most devastating cuts ever.”
And colleague Cllr Sue Vincent added: “It was noted locally he skulked out the back, fearful he might have to engage and explain his ‘big idea’ with real people whose projects he’s just cut.”