Closing the gap: Parliament, representation and the working class

Article

Recent political scandals in Westminster have once again put the issue of trust in politicians at the top of the agenda.

While MPs have become more representative in terms of gender, ethnicity and sexuality in recent years, there is a large and growing ‘representation gap’ on class.

This ‘class ceiling’ is not driven by discrimination against working class candidates by voters, but by a lack of supply of candidates by parties. Representation in politics matters because it has an impact on the policy decisions taken and the voting behaviour of citizens.

In this report we argue that political parties and government should take action to close the ‘representation gap’.

Related items

  1. The outside of the BBC building in London with people walking in front of it

    Levelling the playing field: The BBC, Big Tech, and the case for a bold charter

    The upcoming charter renewal is the moment to give the BBC the resources, freedom and mission it needs to engage with technology firms on its own terms.
  2. A lighthouse shines a light into a dark seascape at the edge of a cliff on the coast of Wales

    Britain's strategy for a decade of danger: Our nation, our continent, our world

    Britain's foreign policy needs a grand strategy that clearly defines the country’s strategy for security, growth and migration.

  3. Will planning reform make housing more affordable?

    It is undeniable that housing in England is in crisis.