Are there typical characteristics of supporters of the main political parties?

Sometimes their choice of newspaper is a pretty good indication.
Which is why this extract from "Yes Prime Minister" never fails to make me smile
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zy2Ii_F8tws

An interesting thought kitty did you mean in a stereotypical kind of way, a common values way, or something else entirely??

Love that clip! That programme was second to none.

Yes to all roses. I worry about the stereotyping that goes on. People are people but there seems to be a lot of irrational hatred around.

Are you thinking "blue rinse" Tories kittylester and "hippie' lefties. As a confirmed leftie I do like a casual style of dress-long skirts, linen trousers, long tops so maybe a bit hippie. But I can do smart when needed.

I'm not, trisher but are others?

Funnily enough I read an interesting article on the demographics of voters recently .

This is the linkyougov.co.uk/news/2017/04/25/demographics-dividing-britain/.

But the essence of it is that where once Class was a clear indicator of voting preference , that is no longer so. The article says class would tell you little more about a person’s voting intention that looking at their horoscope or reading their palms.

It's worth a read over a coffee .

How do you define 'class' these days? There all these ABC123 groupings but are there are others which the general population tend to use?
To me people are people - many different types - some lacking the opportunity to have the education they might have liked and some have a lesser intelligence through no fault of their own. Politicians do seem to ignore facts about the variations in the population and in many ways think one size fits all instead of catering for a variety.

Research has shown that those that vote for conservative parties react more strongly to fear/threat than Liberals. www.cambridge.org/core/journals/behavioral-and-brain-sciences/article/differences-in-negativity-bias-underlie-variations-in-political-ideology/72A29464D2FD037B03F7485616929560

Welshwife the whole ABC1 stems from Social class definitions and geodemographics which are mainly used by marketing professionals, statistical researchers and social and lifestyle commentators.

Much of the information comes from the census and just involves grouping people with like characteristics together.

I'm not convinced that always works but there are bound to be exceptions to the rule. One size fits all seems to be the order of the day in so man things these days - it's something I heartily dislike !

Having thought about this kitty I would say there probably are some stereotypical types where voting intentions are concerned, but far less than at any other time in history.Education and the media have helped to spread thought and ideas.You can't guess from seeing somebody nowadays how they would vote,although the only exception to this are comedians ( funny or otherwise) who appear to vote Labour to a man.This, I think, is because comedians are natural rebels and 'outsiders' and often become comedians as a coping mechanism tomdeal with life and what they see as 'the establishment'.
Any comedians on GN, feel free to disagree.

I like it when people of principle do NOT conform to the accepted stereotype. That is not to say that those who DO are any less sincere in their thinking or deeds.
A particular favourite of mine was the late Labour MP, father of the house and scourge of not only the Tory front benches.
Educated at Eton and Cambridge , with an accent to match, he was known as Tam to all who know him, but more accurately was
Sir Thomas Dalyell of the Binns, 11th Baronet.
His autobiography says it all, The Importance of Being Awkward:
Not like some I could name , a "champagne socialist" or a politician who made millions from his career (and there are a few of those) but like Tony Benn (second Viscount Stansgate) a man who knew both sides of the social divide and devoted his life to the welfare of others.

I must have a split personality
and be a bit nutty as I voted MRLP once in a local election in despair (as did many other people!).

Or I am just Plain Awkward - DH would concur with that.

I respected Tam Dalyell and Tony Benn (although could not always agree with them).

I haven't seen anyone with a 'blue rinse' for years trisher - although I have seen some lilac and scarlet rinses on women around my age! I worked with someone who was blue rinse, pearls and corseted many years ago and she was an excellent social worker, understanding, hardworking and compassionate.

So I don't believe in stereotypes.

Kitty

I don't think there are typical characteristics but I do believe in the theory of brain washing !

I say this on a personal level as I lived with a father who was a very strong Union man and saying the word Conservative in our house was a swear word. I , nor anybody else in my family, ever queried our vote had to be for Labour. Even he came to the realisation that voting for a colour of Rosette was a folly.

There are millionaire's who vote Labour, there are millionaire's who vote Tory. There are working class who vote Labour, there are working class who vote Tory.

I think there is however a typical character in the so called 'Silent Majority' in the fact they are not brain washed, they are not spitting bile, they are not interested in listening to those who shout the loudest, they see through them.

The Silent Majority are simply going about their own business, seeing what is going on in their lives and surroundings with regard to their everyday living and making decisions for themselves. Thank goodness for a democratic system, albeit there are many who would like rid of it apparently when a vote goes against them.

Our local Sunday Politics discussion recently had a line up of quite interesting contrasting local candidates-

A softly spoken Liberal Democrat lady who is transgender
A cheery black man representing UKIP
A very posh lady army officer standing for the Labour Party
Jacob Rees-Mogg, for the Conservatives, defies description

It was a moot point whether any of them conformed to a stereotype. Possibly Rees-Mogg does, but he is so much of a charicarature, he is hardly believable - made the other three look run-of-the-mill!

I like your very reasonable post POGS.

What is wrong with making money from a career ? Doesn't everyone? Unless one counts being a monk or a nun as a career not a calling.

rosesared
There are some Tory comedians:
Jim Davidson
Jimmy Tarbuck

Nezumi65 - that is fascinating; and somehow chimes with my gut instinct. Intriguing post varian!

Jalima1108 I've seen those as well. Wouldn't it be interesting if people dyed their hair to fit their political beliefs. Purple UKIPs. Red Labours etc. Forgot about the pearls, tweed and brogues as well I suppose, but it's Jimmy Choos all round now.

Varian

" It was a moot point whether any of them conformed to a stereotype. Possibly Rees-Mogg does, but he is so much of a charicarature, he is hardly believable - made the other three look run-of-the-mill!"

I see that comment as supporting the view that some people most certainly ' do ' see characteristics in the political parties.

You stated with a rational point but ended by making a political character assumption.

I suppose what I meant is that it would be difficult to visualise Jacob Rees-Mogg as anything other than right wing, but you never know, perhaps Jeremy Corbyn will manage to convert him.

What is wrong with making money from a career ? Doesn't everyone? Unless one counts being a monk or a nun as a career not a calling

Did you mean my comment anniebach?
I think there is a big difference between earning money as a natural concomitant of your career and the eleventy billions millions commanded by the likes of Tony Blair for speaking engagements, titular endorsements, property deals which were certainly opened up because of a person's position and grandiose positions (ditto) .
Put it this way, show me a POOR ex-politician

Oh I think Rees-Mogg is very aware of his appearance and would probably agree that he is a caricature and a very carefully nurtured one.