Apart from chavs, the British have no class

Apart from chavs, the British have no class

07 Dec 2005

The panel, under chair Sir Clement Freud, debate the influence of class in modern Britain. Do we now live in an egalitarian society, or is British society still governed by the class divide?

Arguing in favour of the motion ‘Apart from chavs, the British have no class’ are Deborah Moggach, Boris Johnson, and Howard Jacobson.

Deborah Moggach begins by arguing that the world is a nicer place thanks to the decline of class distinctions, claiming that ‘the old working class have all gone to Spain’. She claims that, nowadays, it is the working classes, such as footballers and hairdressers, who make up the aristocracy.

Boris Johnson continues by arguing that there is no longer a class war in British politics, as demonstrated by the fact that Labour politicians are now all from the professional classes. However, Britain is the least socially mobile country due to the fact that access to education is still positively correlated with a family’s income.

Howard Jacobson finishes by arguing that by reading Hello magazine and Harry Potter, and by wearing baseball caps, the upper classes are attempting to ‘be done with class…and join the herd’. He compares the values of Victoria Beckham with those of the audience, noting their striking similarities.

Arguing against the motion are Kate Fox, Ferdinand Mount and Simon Fanshawe.

Kate Fox begins by arguing that all human cultures have a social hierarchy, and some way of indicating one’s place on it. She claims there is no economic equality, or equality of opportunity, in Britain today. However, the main way of distinguishing class is still via accent and name. Finally, she states that Britain will never be classless because the British are highly class conscious.

Ferdinand Mount continues by dividing people into what he calls ‘the uppers’ and ‘the downers’, mainly based on the division of income, wealth, education, respect, and esteem. He claims that it is ‘an illusion that we live in a classless society’.

Simon Fanshawe finishes, in a largely comic speech, by pointing out the debate itself is occurring in Kensington and Chelsea – a symbol of the British class system. He claims to be deeply conscious of class due to his upbringing, demonstrating the different behaviours and styles that are deemed either ‘posh’ or ‘chav’.

First Vote: 164 For, 335 Against, 216 Don’t Know

Final vote: 167 For, 535 Against, 43 Don’t Know

The motion is defeated by 368 votes.