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The northern working classes have generationally felt ignored and talked down to, their concerns and desires only fleetingly acknowledged and never (it feels) invested in, unless it impacts the South or London. Unfortunately, the EU ref made many feel empowered in a way they... https://twitter.com/nadinebh_/status/1334514910693355520
...hadn't for many years.
This, matched with a sense of cynicism and resigned acceptance of never being given a powerful voice, multiplied by years of disinvestment and media propagating the myth that immigrants are responsible for our problems, not underfunding or austerity...
This, matched with a sense of cynicism and resigned acceptance of never being given a powerful voice, multiplied by years of disinvestment and media propagating the myth that immigrants are responsible for our problems, not underfunding or austerity...
...led to a perfect storm that allowed parties to convince the working classes that;
A) The EU ref was a chance for them to 'take back control', catnip for people who want simple, understandable reasons they can connect with, even if they're inaccurate, as they support...
A) The EU ref was a chance for them to 'take back control', catnip for people who want simple, understandable reasons they can connect with, even if they're inaccurate, as they support...
...many people's already held beliefs.
B) Sunny upland fear mongering is easier to sell than hard work and reformation, and is a bi-partisan message
C) It's a finger in the eye of anyone who, rightfully or wrongly, is perceived by the working classes as talking down to them
B) Sunny upland fear mongering is easier to sell than hard work and reformation, and is a bi-partisan message
C) It's a finger in the eye of anyone who, rightfully or wrongly, is perceived by the working classes as talking down to them
The working classes of the UK are proud, stoic, often generous, persistently optimistic and stubborn. A heddy cocktail for forming an opinion, sticking with it, and insisting "it be reyt", even when all information implies otherwise!
Which is again, no good when you're counter arguement is to tell people they're ignorant and/or misinformed, and be lectured to. I hate the Tories, but they do tag line politics very well. It's effectively the Simpsons' Marge Vs The Monorail episode
But, to go back to the original question of why did we lose the working class vote in the last election?
1. Labour has a habit ATM of speaking down to the WC
1. Labour has a habit ATM of speaking down to the WC
2. Older labour voters felt like the party had been taken away from them, with momentum candidates dropped in to historically safe labour strongholds. This isn't theoretical, my dad literally said that about Bassetlaw and Mansfield
3. To develop the above point further, We ignored small 'c' conservative opinions from older labour voters, who feel the world is changing too quickly for them to keep up, which allowed them to be assimilated in to the larger Conservative voter pool
4. Our message on Brexit was unconvincing (regardless of how rational it might have sounded) and was muddled. Accept it, it was.
5. Tory messaging was clear, concise, understandable, and memorable. Sorry, but it's true
5. Tory messaging was clear, concise, understandable, and memorable. Sorry, but it's true
6. And the media did a very good job of telling people what to think
You want to know the nation's opinion at any point, pick up the Sul*n. It's a stain, but it's popular and directs public opinion. I hate it, but you need to acknowledge it
Want to win an election, win the S*n
You want to know the nation's opinion at any point, pick up the Sul*n. It's a stain, but it's popular and directs public opinion. I hate it, but you need to acknowledge it
Want to win an election, win the S*n
