About this item
Highlights
- Recent events such as the Brexit vote and the 2017 general election result highlight the erosion of traditional class identities and the decoupling of class from political identity.
- About the Author: Claire Ainsley is Executive Director of the Joseph Rowntree Foundation.
- 176 Pages
- Political Science, Political Process
Description
About the Book
Who is working class today and how do political parties gain their support? This insightful book proposes what needs to be done to address the issues of the 'new working class'. It provides practical recommendations for political parties to reconnect with the electorate and regain trust.Book Synopsis
Recent events such as the Brexit vote and the 2017 general election result highlight the erosion of traditional class identities and the decoupling of class from political identity. The majority of people in the UK still identify as working class, yet no political party today can confidently articulate their interests. So who is now working class and how do political parties gain their support?
Based on the opinions and voices of lower and middle income voters, this insightful book proposes what needs to be done to address the issues of the 'new working class'. Outlining the composition, values, and attitudes of the new working class, it provides practical recommendations for political parties to reconnect with the electorate and regain trust.
Review Quotes
"Ainsley draws upon rich empirical material and data to showcase the depth of Britain's economic, social and political crisis...Geared toward policy-makers and politicians, the book develops concrete policy proposals regarding questions of family, education, health, the economy, education, welfare, housing." Global Labour Journal
About the Author
Claire Ainsley is Executive Director of the Joseph Rowntree Foundation. She leads JRF's work on the social and political attitudes of people on low incomes, and chaired the task group of JRF's strategy to solve UK poverty. Previously she worked for the Transport & General Workers' Union (now Unite) and in government policy and communications. She holds a MSc Global Politics from Birkbeck at the University of London and an undergraduate degree in Politics from the University of York. She is a Trustee of the Political Studies Association, and a judge for the 2017 Orwell Social Evils Prize.
