Hello Moravian, I appreciate your response, thank you. I am confused as to why you would switch from Labour to SNP and why you describe them as taking up the 'socialist mantle'. As far as I can ascertain the SNP is nothing more than the 'Nicola Sturgeon for Dictator' party. She got her 'once in a generation' independence vote and the people of Scotland voted no. Rather than accepting it she keeps pushing for another one. Keep voting until she gets the result she wants then declare victory and no more votes? She has also stated, quite vociferously and unequivocally, that if Scotland were to gain independence she would immediately attempt to rejoin the EU. Where is the 'Independence in that'? We obtain sovereignty and hand it over lock, stock and barrel over to an unelected bureaucracy who then tell us what to do and how much to pay for the privilege! Where is the independence in that? Also, are you implying that if Keir were to bring the party back to it's senses you would then desert the SNP? I look forward to your resonse.

@Sulla Interesting response.
Although I liked and admired Corbyn, In my opinion he was too far to the left and I would presume that Starmer would be more centre left in his politics.
Of course what you say about Nicola Sturgeon is a load of nonsense.and also what you say about the EU.
We were dragged out of Europe by a bunch of English xenophobes and as can be seen by any observer Brexit is and will be a disaster.
Nicola Sturgeon is NOT the SNP. It is thought that she will stand down after the Holyrood elections next year.
She is doing a brilliant job in the current difficult situation and I believe she persuaded Boris to go for full lockdown when his "advisor" Dominic Cummings was wanting to go for the "herd immunity" approach as he considers the old and vulnerable to be expendable.
That's the Tory party for you.

Hello Geoffrey, thanks for your response. I am curious as to your view on how 'working class' has differed pre and post Thatcher. What factors, if any, have changed and what do you believe the driving force behind those changes are?

@Sulla Pre-Thatcher the working class, were mainly manual, clerical workers and so forth and had a representation with unions and the Labour Party. The stratification of Britain was clearly defined. See this sketch from The Frost Report in early 60s

Thatcherism is synonymous with the development of a free market and privatisation. With it came the demise of the unions and workplace security, impacting upon the fabric of the country, both socially and materially.

Privatised industry held on to money or invested in foreign markets whereas Nationalised industries returned money to the country.

The driving force is capitalism

Hi Petter, thank you for your reply. Thank you also for informing me that 'my' party has been 'saved' by Keith Starmer. I thought his name was Keir but we live and learn! I always liked judging a public/political figure by their actions, deeds and track record. I now realise that all I have to do is wait for your pronouncements and follow accordingly. I look forward to your next edict as to how I evaluate and view my political leaning. Hope you are well.

@Sulla Are you always this antagonistic?