The concept of class is a notoriously slippery one - is it about parents' social class, current jobs, education or purely economic? Whichever category is used however it is clear that there is a decline in working class representation in the leadership of the main three parties and in parliament. York University Young Greens
LINK have explored the issue in a survey of the candidate in the current Green Party leadership election.
I found the Q&A reproduced below particularly interesting:
Q&A
1.
What steps, if any, will you take to improve working-class recruitment,
representation and election both inside and outside the party if you are
elected? E.g. national recruitment strategy, shifting emphasis in interviews
etc.
Caroline Allen: Local parties are at the core of this,
talking to people from working class backgrounds is the best recruitment tool.
We have great policies on social justice, which must be at the forefront of our
media and campaigning work. But that’s not enough, we need to be embedded in
communities and visibly working on the issues that affect those communities. I
would want to develop a mentoring programme and advice to local parties and set
up a body along the lines of Green Party Women, which has been successful in increasing
women’s participation.
Natalie Bennett: As founding chair of Green Party Women,
I’ve worked with others to improve the gender balance of GP structures and
candidates. Advances were achieved by encouraging women to stand, and providing
training and confidence-building sessions. This model could be extended to
other under-represented groups, including working-class members.
We’ve also seen an encouraging
shift, particularly in the West Midlands, towards targeting working class
areas. Many join when they see we’re active locally – we must branch out.
Being politically effective, and
speaking up for the most disadvantaged – benefit recipients, the disabled,
asylum-seekers, is likely to more effective than any recruitment scheme.
Pippa Bartolotti: The Green Party, as well we know,
is a largely white, middle class organisation – despite most members wishing it
to be otherwise. We spend too much time talking to each other in a
white, middle class kind of way. How we change the way we communicate has to be
a top priority, and I’m working on that now.
Greens have to be more outward
facing, more involved in their communities, and step right outside their
comfort zones in order to see why we recruit so few working class people. I
like to roll up my sleeves and get involved, but a party leader; no matter how
active and dedicated, cannot be everywhere.
However, the party leader does
set the tone. I look forward to the day when I don’t have to continually speak
to the party, but can speak beyond it. That, I believe is where I can make a
difference – embracing working class concerns in honest language.
Peter Cranie: The fact that I grew up in council
housing in a working class community will mean that my experience reflects that
of many other people. It is crucial we have working class voices to represent
the Greens, not just perceived middle class ones.
Will Duckworth: Yes. I do recognise this problem and
only realised how bad it was when I attended my first conference and felt very
uncomfortable.
I think that I am tackling the
problem in my area. It is a deprived ward with predominantly social housing
including high rise flats. We have stressed the party’s social policies and
tackled many housing issues. We have promoted the importance of a living wage
and the fight against cuts. When ordinary working people hear our social
policies they like them and we have recruited a number of local people who
could not be classified as middle class by any stretch of the imagination.
We need to grow more from these
deprived areas and ensure that local parties are aware that we can work and win
in working class wards and it increases the diversity of our membership. We
also need to promote ordinary people within the party.
Richard Mallender: Reducing all of a person’s life, experience,
expectations, education, etc. effectively to “Are you working class?” is
incredibly simplistic.NonethelessI firmly believe that there are far too many
MPs that have no real experience of working for a living, that have gone
straight from university to political internships, to being paid party hacks
and then, perhaps after a trial run at one general election, are handed a safe
seat in an area they know nothing about and representing people they neither
know nor understand.
I firmly believe that our policies
can & will benefit the ordinary members of society. The citizens’ income,
for example, benefits the least well off in society while eliminating the
poverty trap caused by our current benefit system.
Alex Phillips: One of my key pledges in this campaign
has been the need for local Green parties to embed themselves fully in their
communities. This means relationship-building with groups outside of our
typical demographic e.g. resident associations, Women’s Institutes,
faith-groups and trade unions. We also have to bear in mind that for many
working class people, political activity might be a luxury and they might be
unable to become Green Party members. By becoming a better reflection of the
communities Greens seek to represent, local parties should then endeavour to
approach all known Green voters in their community and ask them to join the
party. Recruitment has to be the first step of being able to then improve
working class representation within the party and as public representatives. At
the same time, we need to develop our relationship with trade unions and trade
unionists. Joining striking workers on picket lines with a Green rosette is a
big gesture. I hope to join Remploy workers in solidarity next week.
Romayne Phoenix: If elected I will put our party at the
heart of the battle against austerity, privatisation, and ecological vandalism
– addressing the concerns of millions within a realistic framework for a ‘jobs
rich’ zero carbon future.
Working alongside others to
create a mass movement against capitalist inequalities we will attract
supporters, voters, members and candidates from a wider range of the population
and then we can work to promote those who are least represented in politics.
Socialists, trade unionists, and
environmentalists should see the Green Party as a natural home.
I am supporting a Membership
Strategy motion to Autumn GPEW Conference.
2. Do you agree with recent proposals (outside the
party) for working-class shortlists/quotas to improve the representation of
ordinary people in politics?
Caroline Allen: I believe that the steps above are key,
my experience with Green Party Women shows there are a raft of measures that
need to be used, of which quotas could be one aspect. Mentoring is vital.
Without support and encouragement by others in the party I would never have
taken that first step as a candidate, I didn’t think I was the sort of person
who stood for election.
I can envisage some practical
problems with definitions, is it about background, job, education? I don’t see
this as insurmountable, but they would need to be carefully considered.
Natalie Bennett: No. What “working class” means is very
wide open to interpretation, and can only be based on self-definition, so
likely to cause endless controversy. I saw a motion to the Compass AGM along
these lines fall because it defined working class in terms of manual labour,
which was very male-biased, as well as inaccurate.
However, while quotas wouldn’t
work for increasing working class representation, real political effort will.
We can’t ignore this question. We have to do far more than pass motions or
create rules – we have to change our culture and be conscious of how we come
across.
Pippa Bartolotti: Wherever there is underrepresentation of
a section of society, quota-type mechanisms are the best way yet of retrieving
balance.
Peter Cranie: I think the main problem with this
approach is definition. Am I now more middle class than working class? I’m a
graduate, I’m a professional (a lecturer) and I live in a nice part of Liverpool.
We should look at all options though.
Will Duckworth: A tough one! I am happy about targets for
representation of women but class is a bit more tricky. We need to get more
ordinary people into politics but we must do that by making it more relevant
and understand that a lot of what we expect of our politicians is very middle
class: We demand a strong grasp of the English language and grammar, the
ability to get up and speak in front of groups of people and to give erudite
answers to philosophical questions. We can’t change that but we do need to
recognise it.
Richard Mallender : I would be far happier with an elected
commons comprising members with at least 10 years experience of holding down a
real job, whether that be as a postal worker, train driver, teacher, local
authority planner, lawyer, business owner, charity worker or whatever. I don’t
think it helps to go for a quota of “working class” – how are you going to
decide who is working class and who isn’t?
Campaigning in areas where there
are high numbers of unemployed, where people live in council (or former
council) housing, does win us support and new members who can then stand for
election themselves.
We also need to increase our
reach to ethnic minorities who are also under-represented in parliament, and we
also need to see equality in the number of women in parliament. Parliament
should reflect the nation it seeks to rule.
Alex Phillips: Yes. However, what is more important to
me, far more so than class, is someone’s politics. There are many working class
Conservatives, in the same way there are plenty of middle managers who might
describe themselves as ‘socialists.’ Parties should focus more on getting the
politics right before making overtures. As Greens we need to broaden our appeal
and package our messages so that they are accessible to more people. It is
frustrating for me as an elected representative that by and large (but
certainly not exclusively) those who are voting for us are middle class.
Surveys have shown that our policies are the most liked out of all the parties,
what we need to do now is frame them so that people know what they are and how
they are relevant to them: our policies on jobs, the economy, pensions, the NHS
and education as well on climate change, transport and animal welfare.
Romayne Phoenix: Until Parliament ‘looks’ more like the
population of Britain we won’t have political priorities that reflect the
genuine needs or concerns of the people.
The Power Enquiry investigated
historic drops in voter participation, but the student demonstrations, and
500,000 marching 26/03/11, showed us that people are politically active.
We have to campaign alongside
people in the struggles ahead, as Syriza worked alongside the people in Greece.
There are many strong working class candidates that we can persuade to stand
with us and for us.
The benefits of gender balance
shortlists is accepted and we can develop models to create balanced
representation for government.
3. What life experience do you have that you believe would make you
appeal to ordinary people? E.g. working on the minimum wage, living in
affordable/council housing, state education etc.
Caroline Allen: My parents are both from working class
backgrounds; as a child I spent a lot of time with my grandparents on Harold
Hill, a council estate near Romford. One Grandfather worked for a garage door
manufacturer until his pelvis was shattered in an industrial accident. Sadly he
never really recovered, mentally or physically. I vividly remember the hospital
visits. My father’s family were moved out of Islington when he was young
because there was no decent housing, my Gran walked down four floors to get
running water. I’m horrified that history is repeating itself.
Natalie Bennett: I’ve worked as a cleaner (including in a
nightclub – not pleasant), as a farmhand (including in shearing sheds), on a
factory production line (haven’t been able to stand raspberry jelly since), but
I don’t think that talking about those experiences appeals to voters.
What we need to do is present our strong policies – the minimum wage a living
wage, provision of generally affordable social housing for all who want it,
decent benefits to support those who need help for as long as they need it –
loudly, clearly and effectively, in language that is accessible to everyone.
Pippa Bartolotti: My education took place before I reached
the age of 10, at a small, overcrowded village school. From there I went to
Grammar School, and a year later became a victim of the new comprehensive mode
of non-education…I left school at 15 and attended Art School; took all manner
of jobs: barmaid, selling double glazing, driving spare parts around the
country for garages etc to pay my way. I have worked full time since my 19th
birthday, starting my own businesses so that I could be with my children as
they grew up. One of my sons is adopted. Whilst working full time I was a
Samaritan 2 nights a week – an experience revealing unimaginable hardships.
Latterly I have become an Amnesty schools speaker where my role is to introduce
older teenagers from a myriad of backgrounds to human rights. I have driven a
convoy of humanitarian aid across Europe to Gaza, and been wrongfully
imprisoned.
Peter Cranie: I think that in addition to my personal
experience, the fact that I worked with and advocated for some of the least
privileged in society will help.
Will Duckworth: I do live in an ordinary semi in a poor
urban area with a Syrian family seeking asylum living next door.
I am told by my daughter that as
an ex-teacher I am middle class but I taught in the area that I live and have
taught many of my neighbours or their children. I was sacked from my job
(wrongly – I was later awarded damages) and spent 18 months on the dole before
my wife managed to find a job. The experience of being out of work and not
knowing how to survive on the pittance they provide after degrading and
humiliating you is one that is difficult to ignore.
Alex Phillips: I am from Liverpool, grew up in a Labour
household and was always educated at local, mixed, comprehensive schools.
I have worked on the minimum wage where I worked in pubs and restaurants,
whilst living in Liverpool. I now live in ex-council housing. My life
experience is much broader than what I have experienced as an individual; it’s
about what I’ve seen around me. My younger sister was the first person in our
family to go on to postgraduate education. Despite health problems she gained a
first in her undergraduate degree at Nottingham University, and she then gained
a distinction in her Masters at Liverpool University. Now, aged 25, she lives
at home with my parents in Liverpool. The only jobs on offer to her are unpaid
internships in London which she cannot afford to do. I have two older brothers
from my father’s first marriage, and they have both been long-term unemployed.
Various people in my family: siblings and cousins do currently or have in
the past lived in council housing and have had to claim benefits.
Romayne Phoenix: My parents migrated from India and
Ireland, meeting in London in the 1950′s.
I’ve been a single parent for
four years. I know what it is like to struggle on a very low income, ‘one bill
away from disaster’.
For my last two years as an
elected councillor I lived and raised my three children on my allowance of
£9,700 plus child benefits.
My local state Primary School
was the ‘lowest achieving’ school in our outer London borough. I was very happy
there and unaware how many of us had free school meals.
4. How would you define yourself in terms of
class, and do you see this as important to your politics?
Caroline Allen: Middle class. Having benefited from a
good state education and free further education I have been very fortunate to
have been able to realise my dream of being a vet, a professional position. I
work for someone else as an employee. It is important because I know that I
have been lucky and had advantages that others, such as my parents, didn’t.
They pushed me for this very reason. Now even fewer people have these
opportunities. I don’t like being judged based on my job and class, for me it’s
about being empathetic and appreciating where you’re from.
Natalie Bennett: I’m middle class now, but my origins are
working class. My parents were aged 19 and 18 when they had me, my father being
an apprentice carpenter, and both left school with the equivalent of basic O
Levels. My father worked three jobs at once at times during my childhood,
including serving in a petrol station, while my mother did part-time
secretarial/admin work. Those childhood experiences inform my politics, but I
don’t think talking about them in the political arena
is particularly relevant.
Pippa Bartolotti: I don’t see myself as belonging to any
class. My father was a self-employed baker and shopkeeper, and my mother did
not work. My grandfather was an immigrant – an escapee from fascism.
Being largely self-educated, and
a late comer to politics, I am at home anywhere. I do not look down on anyone
and consider myself above no-one. My chief concerns are inequality, climate
change and human rights. These three issues transcend class.
Peter Cranie: I live a middle class lifestyle now, with
enough to get by, and our children don’t miss out on things we make a choice on
(e.g. organic milk for the youngest). But a working class background enables you
to appreciate that a lot of people don’t have those choices.
Will Duckworth: Working-class [NB: Will received a
version of the question which did not contain the second half of this question]
Richard Mallender : My mother was a teacher in both public and
private sector schools, my father worked on the production line in a tractor
factory, and I have worked in the public, private and charitable sectors and
have twice been out of work for over a year; what class would that make me?
Alex Phillips: My politics reflect my upbringing and my
community. I grew up in a Labour household in a city with a deep Labour
tradition. Am I working class? Honestly, I don’t think I am. Whilst my gross
income is less than £12,000 per year, I share a two-bedroomed flat with my
partner; I’m a university graduate and a qualified Teacher. But, would I
describe myself as socialist? Yes. Without a doubt this is the most accurate
description of my politics. Everyone is aspirational, parents want to see their
children do better than them and, at the same time, children want to do better
than their parents. What we need is equality of opportunity. As Greens, our job
is to make this a reality.
Romayne Phoenix: Academics might define me now as part of
the economic ‘underclass’. I would say that I am working class and identify
with all those who depend on a system that should operate for the benefit of
the majority but is being skewed towards the benefits of the few. Many
industries and employment opportunities disappeared from Britain as companies
chased profit margins and the same capitalist values are causing economic,
ecological and sociological destruction. The issue of class, wealth and power
is central to the struggle for a better future.
5. Have you:
a) Ever attended a university
that is now in the Russell Group, such as Oxford or Cambridge?
Caroline Allen: Yes. I decided at a young age I wanted to
be a vet, no-one from my family had ever been to university, I attended a state
school. I was told I had better think of something else, getting in to vet
school was very hard. I got offers from Edinburgh and Cambridge vet schools. A
freezing day and the thought of outdoor farm work put me off Edinburgh.
At Cambridge I was geek, not
elite. I wasn’t invited to the drinking/debating societies but hung out with
people like me, was taught by some inspiring people and became a vet.
Natalie Bennett: No
Pippa Bartolotti: No. University was not in the vocabulary
of my family. I am largely self-educated.
Peter Cranie: No
Will Duckworth: No
Richard Mallender: No -As far as formal education goes I
went to the Valley Comprehensive in Worksop, then North Nottinghamshire College
of Further Education, on to Teesside Polytechnic graduating in 1990 and then
studied for a year post-graduate at the University of Aberdeen.
Alex Phillips: No
Romayne Phoenix: No
b) Ever attended a private school?
Caroline Allen: No
Natalie Bennett: The system in Australia is slightly
different than here but the bare bones are that I attended a state primary
school then, due to good exam marks, I won a scholarship to attend a private
secondary school.
Pippa Bartolotti: No
Peter Cranie: No. When we moved down to England I was
given some tests and they sent me to the grammar school, but I don’t support
that system of education.
Will Duckworth: No
Richard Mallender: No
Alex Phillips: No
Romayne Phoenix: From the lowest achieving primary school
my verbal reasoning skills were seen as remarkable and, in 1971, I was
‘awarded’ a ‘free’ place at a very local non state secondary school – on the
basis of an interview. Advised by colleagues and teachers not to accept the
place for me, my mother rebelled.
Children being divided up and
separated in this manner at this age cannot be positive for society.
