The New Working Class: How to Win Hearts, Minds and Votes - Paperback

by Claire Ainsley (Author)

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.

Author Biography

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.