Published
May 2, 2018Page count
176 pagesISBN
978-1447344186Dimensions
216 x 138 mmImprint
Policy PressPublished
May 2, 2018Page count
176 pagesISBN
978-1447344209Dimensions
Imprint
Policy PressPublished
May 2, 2018Page count
176 pagesISBN
978-1447344216Dimensions
Imprint
Policy PressIn the media
On our blog: Class still matters in elections but its changing nature needs to be understood
'The New Working Class: Nick Denys interviews Claire Ainsley' in House of Comments podcast
'The new working class' in Ayes to the left podcast
'Claire Ainsley: There is a new working class, with different political concerns and motivations from the old' in Conservative Home
'Charity boss reveals 'new working class' has been created - and nobody is speaking for them' in The Mirror
'There is a new working class, and no party is speaking for it' in iNews
'Gut feeling, not income, drives voters now' in The Times
'Our new working class needs help with new struggles' in The Guardian
'Claire Ainsley: The new working-class – and what it means for politics' in Centre Write
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.
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.
Introduction: The New Working Class;
Defining the new working class;
Do policies matter?;
Families and health: attitudes and policies;
Work and the economy: attitudes and policies;
Homes and communities: attitudes and policies;
Democracy: attitudes and reform;
Conclusion: How to win hearts, minds and votes.