Quote:
Originally Posted by Toy Soldier
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.
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  .
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. |
Good post, perhaps I should have said 'feel as badly off as people on benefits sometimes'. There have certainly been times it's felt that way with nothing left after paying all the bills, no holidays, no money for meals out etc. During the recession I could barely cover the cost of my energy bills. I still can't believe some of them and how they've come down, we haven't used more or less energy. Obviously this isn't always the case, just that there have been times when it's been a struggle to get by and you feel unrepresented and completely detached from the electorate that politicians speak about.
Though to be fair I have no experience of living on benefits though my mother does and seems to be fairly comfortable and have what she needs and even manages to save.
I've noticed some people have voted no in the poll without saying anything, I'd like to know why they feel that their party is completely in touch.