Poll: Who's Really Prejudiced?

More middle-class voters regard themselves as leftwing than do working-class voters, and working-class people show less support for overseas aid and immigration than middle-class voters, according to a new YouGov poll, commissioned by Progress, the Labour pressure group.
The findings arguably underline the complex challenge faces in reconnecting with people who were once described as Labour's core supporters...

 

There is little class difference in overall support shown for gay marriage, nationalising the rail companies or putting workers on company boards...

Reported in The Guardian.

Good to see some more evidence of how the claim that working-class people are somehow uniquely homophobic - and that the issue of gay marriage turns off working-class voters - is nonsensical and without foundation.

For more on the demonisation of the working class, read Owen Jones' Chavs.

Owen Jones: Independent

Good news!
Owen Jones has a column in today's Independent.
Fagburn is quite the fan of the baby-faced man.
Why not have a read?; 'Gay people have come a long way – but hatred is still out there'
Even though that is about The Gays - for he is one of them, you know - Mr Jones usually writes about politics in the more formal sense.
Indeed, ever since the publication of his book, Chavs: The Demonization Of The Working Class, last year, Owen has become the go-to guy for fresh, intelligent left-wing comment.
He usually announces the publication of his journalism, as well as his radio, TV and speaking appearances, on Twitter.
He's got so much going on one wonders how he has time to tweet.
It's interesting his column appears in The Independent the week after Johann Hari announced he wouldn't be returning to the paper.
Will Owen Jones be Johann Hari's replacement?
I billy well hope so.

Update: Huge amount of comments under Owen's piece on The Gays. Most are depressing as fuck, even many of the pro-gay ones. Welcome to the World of Stupid!

Britain Thinks: Our Survey Says

"When asked whether gay couples should have the same rights as heterosexual couples, 76% of the working class felt they should, compared with 70% of the middle class. The working class were also marginally more likely to have had a relationship with someone of another race..."

Poll by the centre-left thinktank BritainThinks.
The polling was done from focus groups - quote from The Sunday Times.
Fagburn believes he's right in thinking polls tend to get more gay-positive results when they ask a general question like this, rather ask people their positions on specific gay legislation...

• Another plug for the excellent Chavs: The Demonization Of The Working Class by my close, personal showbiz pal, Owen Jones.

Fagburn: Currently Reading

Been looking forward to this book for ages.
Chavs: The Demonization of the Working Class by noted wise gayer, Owen Jones.
Now I suppose I'll have to read it.