We are looking down on a cold, hard winter. But some politicians want us to think the biggest threat facing the UK is a ‘wokemob’
This is an article in the fifth issue of New Economic Magazine.You can read the full question here.
We are currently in the midst of the worst cost of living crisis in a generation, with soaring energy bills, a climate crisis, and a government collapsing like a house of cards and moving to a third prime minister this year.However, certain politicians, parts of the media and public figures would still lead you to believe that the greatest threat to Britain is the so-called scourge of‘Wake up man’.
Looking at the first Conservative Party leadership election earlier this year, it was clear that the platform of choice for most candidates was a pushback against the opposition of‘wake’.From Suella Braverman’s oath to of“Get rid of all this waking crap” to accuse Penny Mordaunt of being of“Too awake” to be the leader, and that will clearly continue to be the focus of British politics next year.
Meanwhile, over the past year the Center for Labor and Social Studies (CLASS) has been working with ASO Communications on the UK Racial Class Narratives (RCN) project, which aims to disenfranchise the divide-and-conquer tactics used by certain sectors.The UK RCN used the methodology of the overwhelmingly successful US project, which was implemented during several US state elections and the 2020 presidential election, which tested seven progressive narratives, six of which performed better with the public than Trump. positive of‘Opposition” news.
Through a survey and an innovative dial-up test, we have spent the past year testing messages and gathering data on public attitudes to race and class-related topics using the Race Class Narrative methodology co-developed with ASO Communications.Not surprisingly, our research found that this narrative of‘The wokemob’ — albeit made up of a small group of far-right politicians, parts of the media, and privileged public figures — has achieved notable success.
At the heart of the story is of‘traditional or of‘The real white working class who are being left behind trying to uphold real British values against the shackles of political correctness imposed by the UK of‘Wake up man’.this of‘wakemob’ is seen as favoring undeserving minorities and immigrants over white working class people. As a result, racial justice and equality are portrayed as a zero-sum game in which minorities and immigrants gain unfair privileges at the expense of everyone else.By having white working class and of‘wakemob’ attacking each other in a fake binary, the rights got us involved in what they say of‘culture war”.
“By having white working class and of‘wakemob’ attacking each other in a fake binary, the rights got us involved in what they say of‘culture war”.
By analyzing the narrative landscape, the British Racial Class Narratives Project found that the story was accessible, emotive, persuasive, and effectively segmented the persuasive working class by race and ethnicity.
Many on the far right sincerely share these beliefs, but they also use the narrative to divert attention from the myriad problems facing the UK today, whether it is the multiple scandals plaguing the current government or the cost of living crisis.Our research found that only 10% of the public strongly identifies with far-right beliefs, while 60% are actually undecided or of‘Persuasive political views.It is through this narrative of‘Wokemob’ our right-hand counterpart has been so successful at gaining the support of persuadables. By presenting our participants with a summary of anti-arousal stories and current progressive responses, the UK RCN found that anti-arousal stories were the decisive winners. Worse, a third of the people in our study couldn’t even remember what their progressive reaction was to hearing it, let alone deciding whether they liked it or not.
Confronted with such a dangerously effective narrative that shows no signs of abating, progressives are avoiding the issue at best and legitimizing it at worst. By analyzing exchanges, we see that progressive players are falling into some of the traps set by our opponents. By echoing the sentiment that Britain is in the midst of a cultural values war, we legitimize this dangerous theory. At the same time, by repeating their words in an attempt to disprove them, we are unknowingly drawing them further into the public consciousness. Worse, we have yet to offer a convincing alternative narrative of our own. While the right has vividly painted a picture of what their Britain would look like, we find that the current progressive message is easily forgotten, unconvincing to a persuasive segment of the population and receiving only lukewarm support from our base.
However, there is hope. Our research has found that the British working class is far more united than the right suggests. The working class is not a single group but encompasses many races and nationalities, occupations, incomes, education and political beliefs. Across racial and other differences, what truly unites the working class is their shared experience of instability, prejudice, lack of power, and uncertain sense of place, and most importantly, their values.
“Our research has found that the British working class is far more united than the right suggests. “
Furthermore, through empirical testing, we find that using phrases and terminology to construct unified narratives around people’s shared material interests actually outperforms right-wing divisive counter-awakening stories. Our tried and tested messages come straight from working class listening. They communicate the fact that there is a small elite making decisions against the common good and connect the need for people to come together (across race and class) to ensure a better future for all of us.These new narratives, by creating an inclusive of‘We’ve the ability to neutralize our adversary’s message by using cross-language and emphasizing what we have in common—that is, what we want and value. Most importantly, the information is valid.
Proved by the original project of Race Class Narrative in the United States, the core formula of the RCN framework is as follows:
- Values: Open with shared values, explicitly including people across racial and economic status lines to build interracial solidarity.
- Problem: Narrate the problem and locate the problem on some powerful actors. Be specific about what they are doing and how it is hurting us.
- Solution: Communicate an aspirational vision that specifies what we can achieve together. Emphasize how collective action can help us solve problems and implement solutions that benefit us all.
By using this framework and joining forces, we have all the tools to counteract the dangerous divide-and-conquer strategy of our adversaries and propose a promising but viable alternative to those persuasive arguments. The rise of ultra-conservative governments is not inevitable. With the right tools, deployed smartly and strategically, we can win.
Ayesha was previously Public Affairs Officer for CLASS.
