Needless to say, we live in a society riddled with self-serving opportunists who outcast certain groups for their political gain and to the detriment of the working class. The shark-infested waters that politics has become seeks out the weak and devours their hope. Following on from the 2016 referendum which witnessed the public inexplicably lied to and hoodwinked into believing that a better Britain was an independent Britain, the low SES group have seemingly had their heart ripped out of them, particularly the 18-34 manual/unemployed which saw a lowly 35% voter turnout in the 2017 General Election (Ipsos Mori 2017). As democratic institutions lose responsiveness and legitimacy to the aforementioned socioeconomic group due to their lack of engagement, higher socioeconomic groups profit as their vote, in many ways, becomes a national consensus. The question that needs addressing is how do we give a voice to the voiceless?
Fig.1. Significant decline among lower social class groups in GE 2017 from 2016 referendum (Ipsos Mori 2017)
Easy.
I get that we are prisoners of our reality and being 21 years old, some might consider the ship to have sailed in terms of encouraging political engagement for my age and socioeconomic demographic, however, the next generation of low SES can reap the rewards of engaging in politics through education and having the voice I never had. Having previously lived an estate and attended a low socioeconomic status school, the access to learning and exploring the political landscape was minimal at best; often PSCHE/ political classes were filler and an environment to complete homework of other classes.
This must change.
Is it too much to ask for schools to empower their students of low SES? Through the participatory process and giving students positions with a modicum of political value such as school councils as well as citizenship classes with specific learning outcomes, it encourages them to become politically engaged and consequently have a voice. Research by Professor Bryony Hoskins found that in over 6000 students, there were no significant differences in their access to citizenship classes by socioeconomic background, however their voluntary participation saw alarming differences as those from poor social backgrounds are found unwilling to volunteer in political activities (George 2018). Again, we must empower those who feel powerless, and this starts from the bottom up. Tackling this issue in schools will have a baring on higher education whereby the number of students who attend Russell Groups continue to dwindle as only 5 % of English teenagers who took A-levels or equivalent qualifications in 2012-13 and were eligible for free school meals were admitted to Russell Group universities the following year, which incidentally has increased to only 3% of students going to Russell Group (Havergal 2015). This slide in admittance into top unis becomes reflective of the political sphere, an evermore exclusive to those of a high SES and further fuel diplomatic democracy; whereby politicians turn out to be the most educated from the best universities and those who vote are the most educated and wealthy. Consequently, you have a large demographic that feels isolated and left out of politics.
Oh the irony of Theresa May. Having declared to fight the ‘burning injustices’ in British society and to prioritise the working class who were ‘just about managing’ a year prior to the 2017 General Election (George 2018), enter the mismanagement of Grenfell. In the face (or across the street) of Grenfell, lay the upper social class whereby in some parts of the borough, average income can ‘drop ten times as you cross the street’ (Guardian 2017). If any good came from this tragic circumstance is the finger being directed at the Tory government. A web of social inequalities continues to unravel which ultimately leading the 18-34 low SES voicing their opinions on social media, showing images of the tragic event two years removed and reminding politicians that they have a voice and will continue to preach the social injustice they experience.
They use the people when they want to rise, as we treat a spirited horse when we want to mount him; – for a time we pat the animal upon the neck, and speak him softly; but once in the saddle, then come the whip and spur. – Christian Nestell Bovee – New York Writer
Fig.3. YouGov (2017) poll on what Brits think of the social classes. Working class have the nicest people.
For what the data tells us, it is pretty laughable what is exacted in society. Although the working class contribute most to society they are also overwhelmingly treated the worst by government. One might think “well why don’t they do something about it?” Reality is, once you have been politically repressed for a sustained period, disillusion is inevitable. A quick dive into recent history shows this as 18-34 low SES group saw an encouraging voter turnout of 57% during the 2016 Referendum (6% increase from the 2015 GE) ultimately suffer a 4% fall for the 2017 (Ipsos Mori 2017).
They use the people when they want to rise, as we treat a spirited horse when we want to mount him – for a time we pat the animal upon the neck, and speak him softly; but once in the saddle, then come the whip and spur. – Christian Nestell Bovee.
In the face of Bovee’s damning statement, the mistreatment of the government will not resign our fate. In fact, the voiceless will become the ‘voiceful‘.
Bibliography
George, M (2018) Call for debates to be compulsory for all secondary pupils. Available at: https://www.tes.com/news/call-debates-be-compulsory-all-secondary-pupils
Grenfell Speaks (2018) On the ground at Grenfell. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3S_5ttJAOwHavergal, C (2015) Russell Group access: poorest fall further behind. Available at: https://www.timeshighereducation.com/news/russell-group-access-poorest-fall-further-behind (Accessed 05/03/2019)
Ipsos Mori (2017) How Britain Voted in the 2017 Election. Available at: https://www.ipsos.com/ipsos-mori/en-uk/how-britain-voted-2017-election
The Guardian (2017) Grenfell Tower MP highlights huge social divisions in London. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/inequality/2017/nov/13/grenfell-tower-mp-highlights-huge-social-divisions-in-london (Accessed 05/03/2019)
Notable Quotes (2006) Christian Nestell Bovee Quotes VI. Available at: http://notable-quotes.com/b/bovee_christian_nestell_vi.html
YouGov (2017) What do Brits think of social classes? Available at: https://yougov.co.uk/topics/lifestyle/articles-reports/2017/09/26/what-do-brits-think-social-classes
Howdy! This is kind of off topic but I need some
advice from an established blog. Is it tough to set up your own blog?
I’m not very techincal but I can figure things out pretty fast.
I’m thinking about setting up my own but I’m not sure where
to begin. Do you have any tips or suggestions?
Thanks
my site; minifikirler.com.tr
A fascinating discussion is definitely worth comment. I
believe that you should write more about this
subject matter, it might not be a taboo subject but generally people don’t discuss these issues.
To the next! Cheers!!
My web page заказать дезинсекцию от тараканов
Great beat ! I wish to apprentice while you amend your website, how can i subscribe for a blog site?
The account helped me a acceptable deal. I had been tiny bit acquainted of this your broadcast offered bright clear idea
my page :: deneme2
Hi there just wanted to give you a quick heads up and let you know a few
of the images aren’t loading correctly. I’m not sure why but I
think its a linking issue. I’ve tried it in two different internet browsers and both show
the same outcome.
My blog; 먹튀사이트
Youu actuɑlly make it ѕeem so easy with your presentation howevｅr I in finding this toрic to be really something that I
feel I might neνеr understand. It sort οf feels too complicated and extremely extensive for me.
I’m tɑking a look foｒward to your next post, I will attemρt to get the grasp of іt!
Heree is my Ƅlog :: slope game
Sweet blog! I found it while surfing around on Yahoo News. Do you have any tips on how to get listed in Yahoo News?
I’ve been trying for a while but I never seem to get there!
Many thanks
my web page: Liga 138 Link Alternatif
Superb blog! Do you have any tips and hints for aspiring writers?
I’m planning to start my own blog soon but I’m a little lost on everything.
Would you suggest starting with a free platform like
Wordpress or go for a paid option? There are so many choices out
there that I’m totally confused .. Any recommendations? Many thanks!
Also visit my blog – 프로코밀(Procomil) 구입
You really make it seem so easy with your presentation but I find this matter to be actually
something that I think I would never understand. It seems too complicated and very broad
for me. I am looking forward for your next post, I’ll try to get the hang of
it!
Take a look at my blog :: Amazon Gift Card Generator (https://approcketv2.com/)
Hi there I am so thrilled I found your weblog, I really found you by
mistake, while I was looking on Askjeeve for something else,
Nonetheless I am here now and would just like
to say kudos for a marvelous post and a all round entertaining blog (I also love the theme/design), I don’t have
time to read it all at the minute but I have saved it and also added
in your RSS feeds, so when I have time I will be back to read more, Please do
keep up the awesome job.
Here is my web site: Portable Diesel Generator
With havin so much written content do you ever run into any problems of plagorism or copyright violation? My website
has a lot of exclusive content I’ve either authored myself or outsourced but it seems a lot of it is popping it
up all over the internet without my agreement.
Do you know any methods to help stop content from being ripped off?
I’d truly appreciate it.
Here is my web site: Luxury wedding invitations
Its not my first time to visit this web page, i am visiting
this site dailly and take good information from here everyday.
my site :: Stone veneer for architectural accents
This post is really a fastidious one it helps new net users, who are wishing in favor of blogging.
Look into my homepage: museumbola co
Greetings! Very helpful advice within this post! It’s the little changes that make the most
important changes. Thanks a lot for sharing!
Visit my web site; sakallibilgic.com.tr
No matter if some one searches for his essential thing, therefore he/she needs to be available that
in detail, so that thing is maintained over here.
Feel free to surf to my blog post: http://37Gq.com
Good day I am so glad I found your blog, I really found you by error,
while I was researching on Yahoo for something else,
Regardless I am here now and would just like to say cheers for a remarkable post and a all
round exciting blog (I also love the theme/design), I don’t have time to
read through it all at the moment but I have bookmarked it and also included your RSS feeds, so when I have time I will be back to
read more, Please do keep up the excellent work.
Feel free to visit my web blog :: Certified Security Practitioner training course in Kochi
I love what you guys tend to be up too. This sort of clever work and exposure!
Keep up the awesome works guys I’ve you guys to blogroll.
Feel free to surf to my blog – deneme1
Hi this is kinda of off topic but I was wanting to know if blogs use WYSIWYG editors
or if you have to manually code with HTML. I’m starting a blog soon but have no coding know-how so I wanted to get advice
from someone with experience. Any help would be
greatly appreciated! https://cholonghoa.com/ cholonghoa
I have learn some just right stuff here. Certainly value bookmarking for
revisiting. I surprise how so much effort you set to make
the sort of excellent informative website.
Look at my blog post: Review AdaKami
Today, I went to the beach with my kids. I found a sea shell and gave it to my 4 year old daughter and said “You can hear the ocean if you put this to your ear.” She put the shell
to her ear and screamed. There was a hermit crab inside and it pinched her ear.
She never wants to go back! LoL I know this is completely off topic but I had
to tell someone!
Here is my web site: Rajasatu88
Wow, this paragraph is pleasant, my younger sister is analyzing
these kinds of things, so I am going to convey her.
Here is my homepage buy telegram members with bitcoin
Адвокат по уголовным делам