David Cameron has finally admitted that his idea of a "Big Society" has been the victim of a major misunderstanding from day one.
The whole idea emanated from a conversation the Coalition Prime Minister had with his then new Director of Communications Andy Coulson just days into the new government.
Cameron takes over the story :
"I was travelling on Eurostar to a summit in Paris to meet my new chums Sarkie, Berlo and the Merkster.
I was talking on the moby and, just as I was verbalising my thoughts, the darned train went through the chuffing tunnel.
I'd been talking about restoring the traditional English values of fair play, togetherness, helping each other out....and what I wanted the whole idea to be called.
Andy C thought I said 'Big Society' when in fact I actually said 'Biggles Society'.
By the time I got to Paris, the whole thing had been released to the press, badged as 'The Big Society' and the genie was well and truly out of the bally bottle. It had already taken on a momentum of its own and things had gone too far to be halted.
The rest is history".
