A demographic classification developed by the National Readership Survey.
- Middle class (ABC1)
- A - senior management
- B - professional
- Accountants
- Solicitors
- Teachers
- C1 -clerical/office - supervisory
- This was the traditional target voting group for the Conservatives, historically having a lead of i.e., +30
- Skilled working class (C2)
- C2 - skilled manual worker, i.e., plumber, electrician, carpenter - trade
- Up until 2010, the C2 class has near-perfectly predicted who would win the election.
- Semi/unskilled working class (DE)
- D - unskilled manual worker, i.e. Uber/Deliveroo delivery drivers, warehouse workers - labourers
- E - economically inactive - unemployed
- retired/pensioners
- students
- unemployed
Modern Application
This is no longer applicable in modern England. Labour is seen doing more popular with high-income voters as of the 2024 election, with both Reform UK and Conservatives doing better among low-income voters.
Socio-economic class is much less of a voting factor now. Education is much more of a voting factor now.
- Left-wing politics is much more popular with much higher education.
- 42% Labour (degree/higher) vs. 28% (GCSE/lower)
- 15% Lib Dem vs. 9%
- 9% Green vs. 4%
- 8% Other vs. 5%
- 8% Reform UK vs. 23%
- 18% Conservative vs. 31%
Additionally, the C1 definition is very fuzzy.