Political leaders like to put forward guiding ideas or themes which pull their individual decisions into a broader narrative. For John Major it was Back to Basics, for Tony Blair it was the Third Way and for David Cameron it is the Big Society. While Mr. Blair relied on Lord Giddens to add intellectual weight to his idea, Mr. Cameron's legacy idea is associated most closely with Steve Hilton, the low-profile Downing Street Director of Strategy and the man credited with de-toxifying the Tory brand. His influence may well be a factor in explaining why the Big Society has been perceived this year among political and media hacks as heading for the rocks. Is the Big Society a big deal or is it in big trouble? The author looks at the challenges for adult educators working with one of the central strands of David Cameron's political project.