Go ahead for Big Society

These could be interesting days for the British third sector. Or is it civil society?

Tory Nick Hurd was nominated Britain’s Minister for Civil Society last Friday May 14 in newly appointed British prime minister David Cameron’s government. He is the first such minister to take up the position in what used to be the Office of the Third Sector.

The shift in names signals a considerable shift in ideology. The change was confirmed on Tuesday May 18.

The placement was broadly well received by the British non profit sector, who are already familiar with the figure and have described him as “up to speed.”

Hurd, an MP for Ruislip-Northwood since 2005, has been following the third sector portfolio from the opposition for the last eighteen months. During the run-up to the elections, he was active in spreading the conservative word throughout the sector.

“We need to inspire volunteers and remove the barriers to involvement,” Hurd told i-volunteer in a recent video interview released at the beginning of the month, before adding “it’s worth people getting involved because they can change things.”

Big plans

After a long campaign fuelled with ‘Big Society’ vs ‘broken society’ Cameron rhetoric, Hurd, together with Eric Pickle, the minister for communities and local governments, will be the reference point for the implementation of the tory Big Society idea.

On Tuesday, Cameron and his deputy prime minister liberal democrat Nick Clegg, released ‘Building the Big Society’, a document detailing the coalition’s plans.

The paper sheds light on commitments and pledges, something charity leaders had called in a letter last Friday, which they addressed to the prime minister.

The Big Society Bank – which has already been dubbed the charity bank – will be paid for with funds from dormant bank accounts. The bank will provide finance for charities, social enterprises, neighbourhood groups and other non-governmental bodies.

Other pledges that have been confirmed include the creation of a Big Society Day and a national citizen service.

Man at the top

Hurd may be no new face for the British third sector, but he is certainly not one for the conservative party either.

The 48-year-old follows in his father’s, his grandfather’s and his great grandfather’s footsteps – all of whom served in conservative governments. The most well-known in living memory is probably Douglas, his father, who was a two-time party leader contender and served under Thatcher and Major.

Nick himself has fathered four children, leaving the option open for a fifth Hurd in government. Perhaps a woman this time.

His upbringing will not serve to silence the criticisms that Cameron has received over his government members’ privileged backgrounds. Just like his prime minister, Hurd was an Eton school boy and an Oxford university student.

Prior to entering government in 2005, he was a businessman.