Steuart, Kieran Jamie (2018) The relevance of social class, communications, and general location, in contemporary British Labour Party politics, with a focus on North-West Cumbria. Doctoral thesis, University of Cumbria (awarded by Lancaster University). Downloaded from: http://insight.cumbria.ac.uk/id/eprint/3806/ Usage of any items from the University of Cumbria’s institutional repository ‘Insight’ must conform to the following fair usage guidelines. 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Alternatively contact the University of Cumbria Repository Editor by emailing [email protected]. This thesis is submitted for the degree of ‘Doctor of Philosophy’ (Ph.D.) at Lancaster University Kieran Jamie Steuart, M.A., M.Sc./M.Res. Title The relevance of social class, communications, and general location, in contemporary British Labour Party politics, with a focus on North-West Cumbria Degree Ph.D., Applied Social Sciences April 2018 1 | P a g e PERSONAL ACADEMIC DETAILS Institution: Lancaster University Faculty: Arts and Social Sciences University Number: S1311526 Academic Status: Part-Time Funding Source: Self-Funding Start Date: 1st October, 2013 Word Count (‘Contents’ to ‘Postscript’ minus ‘Bibliography’): 80,000 Ph.D. Thesis (in accordance and compliance with Lancaster University procedures and regulations) 2 | P a g e COPYRIGHT USE & ETHICAL DECLARATION Copyright Use In accordance with Lancaster University ethical procedures, Copyright Use is likely to be ‘considered fair if the amount copied is the minimum necessary and the use is not deemed to be of an exploitative nature’. Following such stipulations, the use in this thesis of tables, and figures, ‘be it, text, maps, and image extracts is fair, as all of which are made available to the public, they include the name of the author, and the title of the work; and are used purely for academic purposes’. In addition, the use of quotations and subsequent interpretative analysis from literary works in this study is fair as the extent of the work is ‘no more than absolutely necessary and is acknowledged when, and where possible’ (Lancaster University (2017)). Ethical Declaration I declare that this thesis is my own work and that it has not been submitted for a degree at any other university. None of the work that appears here has previously been published. The research presented and reported in this thesis was conducted within the guidelines for research ethics outlined in the Lancaster University guidelines on ‘Ethics Conduct in Research Involving Humans’ (2015). The proposed research methodology received clearance from the ‘Lancaster University Research Ethics Committee’ on the 2nd June, 2015 (Approval Number – Ref.: DC/SB 14/33). I, the undersigned, author of this work, declare that the electronic copy of this thesis provided to Lancaster University is an accurate copy of the print thesis submitted, within the limits of the technology available. Signature ___Kieran J. Steuart__________________________ Print Name: KIERAN J. STEUART Date: 5th April, 2018 3 | P a g e STATEMENT OF THE CONTRIBUTION OF OTHERS This Ph.D. thesis has been made possible through the support of the following people: Academic Supervisory Team: Dr Gail Mulvey (Research Fellow) – Main Supervisor: years active (2013-2018); Dr Ian Chapman (Senior Lecturer) – Second Supervisor: years active (2013-2018); Dr Tom Grimwood (Senior Lecturer) – Third Supervisor: years active (2013-2017). & Interview Participants: 15 Allerdale/Carlisle Labour Party political representatives: years active (2015-2016). 4 | P a g e ABSTRACT The aim of this study is to investigate the relevance of social class in relation to general support for the Labour Party both within a national and localised context, with a specific focus placed upon the area of North-West Cumbria. This is achieved by following the research hypothesis that states that the party since the emergence of New Labour, is with their classless brand, more effective on a political level than their collectivist Old Labour predecessor. Such analysis, using a mixture of primary and secondary methods, is framed within a three-themed research phenomenon. The phenomenon begins via the first theme ‘Class/Identity’ which defined the extensive atomised shift in perceived class categorisation in contemporary Britain. The analysis of the latter then links to the second theme ‘(Labour) Party’ which evaluates such shifts to that of Labour support, ranging from the historic ‘Old’ and ‘New’ eras to the present ‘Post New’ incarnation. This primarily states how the rise of the New Right inspired New Labour to modernise their core political message to accommodate the new atomised class culture, so as to gain broader levels of support. The research phenomenon concludes with the third theme ‘Geography (North-West Cumbria)’ which explores how such class atomisation affected Labour support on a broad locational basis, particularly within North-West Cumbria. The thesis findings generally concur with the research hypothesis since the New Labour brand was somewhat successful in rural areas which hitherto had been deemed unattainable by Old Labour. Such findings, be it nationally and/or locally, are a symptom of contemporary class times where political allegiance has become less ideologically centred, and more brand-orientated and homogeneous. This thesis structure also makes a contribution to qualitative methods research as it provides a template of how such a research hypothesis and phenomenon can be theoretically and practically integrated. Kieran J. Steuart, M.A., M.Sc./M.Res.; ‘Ph.D., Applied Social Sciences’; April 2018; The relevance of social class, communications, and general location, in contemporary British Labour Party politics, with a focus on North-West Cumbria. 5 | P a g e DEDICATION Primarily, I dedicate this thesis to the memory of my mother, Janice E. Steuart (2nd November, 1949 - 14th October, 2008). On a personal level, I dedicate this thesis to my extended circle of family and friends; all of whom have given me their fullest encouragement and support in both undertaking and completing this research study. On an academic level, I dedicate this thesis to my three excellent academic supervisors whose professional guidance was invaluable in guiding me through such a challenging, but ultimately fulfilling and rewarding process. I also dedicate this thesis to all the Lancaster University academic research students and staff that, day-in and day-out, perform critical academic and professional (work-based) research activities that improve, revolutionise, and advance academic thinking, theories, processes, and best-practices across a range of professional disciplines. 6 | P a g e ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I have finally made it, what a wonderful and rewarding feeling, I am absolutely delighted! Thankfully, many others have supported and encouraged me during this incredibly challenging and fulfilling time in my life. I would like to thank as many as I can recall, though I am certain that there were others. To begin, I express my sincere appreciation to my doctorial supervisory team: Dr Gail Mulvey, Dr Ian Chapman, and Dr Tom Grimwood, all of whom have mentored and encouraged me to be diligent, pragmatic, and resilient in conducting quality academic research while completing the requirements for this ‘Doctor of Philosophy’ degree. My thesis in general terms was divided up into three practical elements, ‘Theoretical Analysis’; ‘Methodology’, and ‘Write-Up’, to which in particular my two senior supervisors’ Dr Mulvey and Dr Chapman, contributed greatly. I am especially indebted to all three supervisors for their general advice on dissecting relevant theoretical analysis. On a specific academic basis, I would like to thank Dr Mulvey and Dr Chapman for using their considerable professional expertise in offering guidance to connect such analysis to an appropriate methodological framework, and then for tying such theoretical analysis and methodology into a concise final-thesis structure. I would additionally like to acknowledge the members of the Allerdale and Carlisle Labour Party who very kindly gave up their valuable time to contribute to the Interview process which played a pivotal role in regards the advancement of the study. I must also pay tribute to the viva examination panel, who with their professional diligence, effectively and appropriately scrutinised the thesis to determine that it met the required standards of doctoral research. Finally, my warmest and sincerest acknowledgements go to my patient and supportive father, James (Jimmy); my brother, Shaun; and my two close