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Working Class whites need citizenship ceremonies

(54 Posts)
Sel Fri 05-Apr-13 15:53:47

gracesmum I think he is alluding to the sector of society that finds itself alienated, the working class white who, in the past, would have naturally followed Labour for their representation. Now they are finding the far right, the likes of UKIP potentially representing their views. The sub heading of the symposium was 'white flight, anti immigration politics and integration'

He suggested attending citizenship ceremonies, along with immigrants could help them feel that they were part of Britain again and help them re-learn the moral economy of the working class Labour of old.

I've been to one of these ceremonies and have felt very proud to be British.

gracesmum Fri 05-Apr-13 15:40:38

IMHO Frankly ridiculous. Attending "citizenship ceremonies"? What does he mean by the working class - what do you mean Sel? I am in agreement with the opinion that working men and wommen today who mught have been staunch Labour supporters in the past, will find they have little in common with ths champagne Socialists of today, people like Peter Mandelson thinking that mushy peas were guacamole (!) Labour politicians living in milion pound pads in Hampstead and members of parliamentof all political persausions lining their pockets. Who's out of step? Not the Labout supporters but their so-called representatives who have totally lost touch with the working man/woman.

gordony Fri 05-Apr-13 15:27:36

The shadow cabinet could learn a lot from Frank Field

Sel Fri 05-Apr-13 14:42:48

An interesting speech by Frank Field yesterday at a symposium - 'Diversity and the White Working Class'. He said the white working class had lost confidence in what it is and attending citizenship ceremonies would help them feel part of British society again. I'm inclined to agree with him and wonder if the working class, as it existed in the past is still with us.

He worried about the impact of immigration on white working class communities and criticised the Labour party for having lost touch with those that created it.

I much admire Frank Field, a man of integrity.