I don't think there is a political party that really represents "normal", middle class working people to be honest... There's a very good reason that there's a large amount of voter apathy in middle class people under 40. Those older than that tend to be habitual voters, they have been voting for 20+ years so will keep voting for the same parties mostly, more out of tradition than anything else. As you say, the younger generations are struggling to find ANY party that represents them or understands the hurdles of trying to build a nest / a life as a normal middle-income person today.
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Originally Posted by jaxie
Yet I might argue that those of us in the middle, paying our way may often be poorer and have harder times than those who live on benefits.
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I have to disagree with this though, as someone who dipped my toes into "being (mostly) on benefits" very briefly before getting back out of it.
Grew up in a comfortable middle-class home, had a pretty cushy ride through Uni - I'm Scottish so no fees, my parents separated when I was 18 and my mum was on disability so I got a full bursary based on her income... But my dad was making plenty of money and paid my full accommodation costs for 3 years. Probably had it too easy, haha.
Then my girlfriend got pregnant, I didn't graduate, we were living on basically full benefits, with a baby, for over a year and a half. It's horrendous. Truly the worst time of my life, so utterly miserable and depressing. Clothes full of holes, shoes full of holes, because we spent any money we did have making a use our daughter didn't go without. Walking a mile in the rain with soaking wet feet to get to the shop and buy dinner with a fistful of 5p coins that we had scraped together out of the change jar (mortifying).
The worst part through, was getting a bill landing on the mat once, somewhere wanting £53, and being an anxious wreck for days because I had no idea how we would pay it and still eat. Fifty three measly ****ing quid
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ANYway... fast forward 5 years and we're very much back in the middle. We drive, we don't worry about turning on the heating, we eat out a lot, we have a decent level of disposable income, my wife is going back to University in September... A bill for £50 is annoying but I could just phone up and pay it without a second thought, I wouldn't understand how it could make someone utterly depressed - - IF I hadn't lived it.
Sorry, that was a bit longer than I intended, but I just had to throw it out there as someone "in the middle" who has thoroughly experienced the alternative. I find it difficult to accept when people start saying that it seems like those on benefits "have it better". There are a few bad eggs who play the system, but for 99% of people who live that life it is an unending crapfest. We're lucky in that we were two intelligent people in our early 20's who had the ability, and prospects (and time) to ensure that it was only ever going to be a temporary situation... When I think about people stuck in that life it sends a chill down my spine.