Tales from the Big Society

There are many fine letters in today’s Daily Telegraph but this is my favourite:

All quiet on the front

SIR – Saturday was World Book Night. I would like to pass on what happened in Clacton-on-Sea that night.

I was chosen as one of the “givers” and decided to give the book All Quiet on the Western Front. I wanted to give this title to pupils of the three senior schools in the area.

The schools were informed that the “giving” would take place in the library, 3–5pm. I made myself available, waiting for the rush. Not one pupil or member of staff turned up for the book.

That sums up what Clacton-on-Sea is all about.

Brian McKeown, Clacton-on-Sea, Essex

Chalk this one up as a win for the Great Unifying Theory of British Politics: I don’t know what it is. It sounds like a good idea. It probably won’t work.