That was a major point of contention at the first Fabian Society fringe debate this lunchtime. Hazel Blears argued that it was the only way to build a Labour winning coalition, Jon Trickett countered that Labour knew how to talk to C2s but had no language which resonated with unskilled voters, while Jon Cruddas said New Labour had mistakenly believed the futurologists who said the working-class would wither away.

Just a few thoughts on the role of class in politics. It seems to me that the traditional approach of the left to class is one that does us no favours.

Soundings, the journal of politics and culture is running an online debate in the build up to their summer event on June 28th.

The subject this year is Class and Culture with speakers including Beatrix Campbell, Jon Cruddas MP, Mark Perryman, Leslie Sklair, Gareth Stedman
Jones, and Jane Wills.