The big names of a 'big society'

(REUTERS)

David Cameron, backed by Nick Clegg, promised a new era of people power as he outlined plans to turn his vision of a "big society" into a reality.

In their first joint public appearance since last week's Downing Street press conference, the Prime Minister and his Liberal Democrat deputy invited community leaders into No 10.

The guests included the IT entrepreneur Martha Lane Fox, who runs a charitable foundation; Nat Wei, the Government's new adviser on "big society"; Camilla Batmanghelidjh, of Kids Co, which works with vulnerable young people; Ray Mallon, the Mayor of Middlesbrough; and Rob Owen from St Giles Trust, which works with young offenders. They discussed ways of encouraging community action, boosting volunteering and setting up a new national citizen's service for 16-year-olds. "We know the best ideas come from the ground up," Mr Cameron said.