Class divides

I find politicians’ use of the phrase “working people” condescending. It’s only a flimsy euphemism for “working-class”, and they clearly don’t include themselves within it, so it does indicate class distinction.

Where, I wonder, would they place themselves in relation to these others?

Cameron and Miliband have finally realised this and decided to develop some “street cred”.

Dave has chosen the fashion indicator of all-in-it-togetherness, progressively shedding first jacket, then tie and finally rolling up shirt sleeves – highly symbolic of manual orientation.

Ed has concentrated on quality of enunciation, steadily sprinkling statesmanly accuracy with equalising streetspeak.

Appearing on Russell Brand’s show, he very deliberately declared “i’ ain’ gunna ha’m” (for “it isn’t going to happen”). No slip of the tongue this; it was immediately repeated for effect.

Commonisms have also crept into the language of both, Ed’s “hell, yes” being matched by Dave’s use of “bloody” in a rousing address.

What next, then? The F word? Why not? It’s surely more associated with the “working” element in our society than with our 
rulers – at least in public.

Robert Dow

Ormiston Road

Tranent