Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

General Discussion

nycbos

(6,034 posts) Thu Jun 8, 2017, 07:26 PM Jun 2017

UK election head scratcher.

I am aware that there are traditional Labour areas that voted leave in the EU referendum, and had a decent UKIP share of the vote the last general election.

It seems in these Labour areas the party is getting a large share of the old UKIP vote. This seems pretty odd given the differences on policy

Any explanation?

4 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

UK election head scratcher. (Original Post) nycbos Jun 2017 OP

they blew off their xenophobic steam in Brexit vote nt geek tragedy Jun 2017 #1

Think of the Obama/Trump voters in the US Recursion Jun 2017 #2

Because not everyone aligns with fixed left-right concepts. David__77 Jun 2017 #3

Agreed. nycbos Jun 2017 #4

geek tragedy

(68,868 posts)

1. they blew off their xenophobic steam in Brexit vote nt

Reply to nycbos (Original post)

Thu Jun 8, 2017, 07:27 PM

Jun 2017

Recursion

(56,582 posts)

2. Think of the Obama/Trump voters in the US

Reply to nycbos (Original post)

Thu Jun 8, 2017, 07:49 PM

Jun 2017

I often argue their importance is overstated, but they exist. Class-conscious but xenophobic. That is a constituency, and they seem to be important in this particular election so far.

David__77

(23,423 posts)

3. Because not everyone aligns with fixed left-right concepts.

Reply to nycbos (Original post)

Thu Jun 8, 2017, 08:01 PM

Jun 2017

Note that many on the left opposed supranational entities in western Europe back in the 1970s. One can strongly uphold a concept of national sovereignty and still adhere to concepts like socialism and union power.

nycbos

(6,034 posts)

4. Agreed.

Reply to David__77 (Reply #3)

Thu Jun 8, 2017, 11:39 PM

Jun 2017

I have watched the trend of UK politics for awhile now and realized if I was a UK citizen I would not have a political home.

Reply to this discussion