"Strangers in their own land"
I was struck by a conversation with a friend a few days ago when they didn't seem to me to realise that their money concerns were a bit, well, "keeping up with the Jones's", given they (with their partner) are in a £70K household. Indeed, during the conversation, I noted the average wage of this country (£24,908 per annum / £479 per week in 2008) and the fact that you have to earn just £49,244 per annum / £947 per week (in 2008) to be in the top 10% of all earners in the UK (source (pdf)) — all to little effect.
I have no doubt this type of attitude is common, but the knock-on impact it had on my friend's expectations and engagement with politics put into sharp relief the Westminster bubble and the people this bubble excludes.
An excellent article in last month's Prospect — Strangers in their own land (subscription required; and, yes, I understand the irony of including this link in this post) looks precisely at this point, particularly focusing on the predominantly white 'working class' of the south east:
There are still as many southeast Englands as Priestley discovered 70 years ago. Many, but not all, of its occupants have benefitted from the economic high tide of the past decade. Many more believe that their voices have been silenced as the state intruded further into their lives, and as the political class marginalised them. These issues, as much as the economy, are focusing their attention and rattling their silence. Come election time you might just hear them roar.
Even if you don't read the article (how could you possibly afford £4.50 a week?!), it's worth remembering that it's very likely indeed you're much better off, engaged and represented than you think you are.
Filed in Equality, Personal, Politics, Society