THE Big Society idea may have been one of Prime Minister David Cameron's big ideas at the election.

But in our view he faces a difficult task in selling the idea to a wary public.

Facing criticism from the very voluntary organisations he needs on side, Mr Cameron out fighting yesterday in defence of the policy which he holds so close to his heart.

Mr Cameron defended the Big Society as a way of changing the way our whole country operates by ending a top down approach to local services.

He denied the whole ideas was a mask for government cuts.

Mr Cameron says he wants to see community and voluntary groups taking greater responsibility for delivering public services.

All very well but we remain to be convinced.

On the one hand the aim seems laudable, to use the undoubted expertise of the already significant army of volunteers who work on diverse social schemes across the country.

But on the other, when the charities which operate existing schemes are facing swingeing funding cuts set in motion by the coalition government, it is difficult to see how the idea squares with the desire to slash spending.

It is therefore perfectly understandable that so many voluntary groups remain sceptical.

And unfortunately for Mr Cameron without their support, the project will fall at the first hurdle.