The New Snobbery

'Timely, insightful and impassioned.' - Tim Shipman 'David Skelton is, once again, excellent ... This brilliant book is essential reading.' - Nick Timothy 'One of our most prescient and empathetic social and political writers. Highly recommended.' - Jason Cowley 'Skelton gets it ... A timely must-read which speaks to head and heart.' - Penny Mordaunt MP 'Vital ... Skelton makes a compelling case.' - Jon Cruddas MP *** An insidious snobbery has taken root in parts of progressive Britain. Working-class voters have flexed their political muscles and helped to change the direction of the country, but in doing so they have been met with disdain and even abuse from elites in politics, culture and business. At election time, we hear a lot about 'levelling up the Red Wall'. But what can actually be done to meet the very real concerns of the 'left behind' in the UK's post-industrial towns? In these once vibrant hubs of progress, working-class voters now face the prospect of being minimised, marginalised and abandoned. In this new updated edition of his rousing polemic, David Skelton explores the roots and reality of this new snobbery, calling for an end to the divisive culture war and the creation of a new politics of the common good, empowering workers, remaking the economy and placing communities centre stage. Above all, he argues that we now have a once-in-a-century opportunity to bring about permanent change.

David Skelton's book Little Platoons set the template for the Tories' successful attempt to take Red Wall seats in the north and the Midlands, which built upon a decade of work and campaigning, making the case for an increased emphasis on the needs of working-class voters in England's towns. Skelton has written regularly for a number of publications, including The Guardian, the New Statesman, the Daily Telegraph, Prospect, ConservativeHome and The Spectator, as well as appearing regularly on BBC Radio and TV, ITN and Sky News.