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Where are all of the Labour voters in real life?!

331 replies

PBEEBIES · 01/09/2026 09:26

I grew up on a council estate. I would say the majority of the people here were very “I’m happy for people to come to this country, but those who come over and don’t work/don’t assimilate are unwelcome” as their main political belief. Despite being a poor area with the majority of people on some form of benefit, they believed that people who work shouldn’t have to pay super high levels of tax and people should be able to keep what they earn etc.

I went to university and associated with “posher” people for the first time. I would say the political beliefs held by these people were very similar to those held by the people I grew up around. I met a few people that were stronger to the left and right here, but to generalise, the majority were all pretty middle of the road/right leaning in the same way that they were on my council estate.

I now have a well paid professional job and live in quite a “posh” area. The people here again, generally hold the same views as everybody at my university and the council estate I grew up on. Probably slightly more right leaning, but all pretty similar on their thoughts on immigration, taxation, government spending priorities etc. We’ve recently completed a house renovation and if ever the topic of politics came up with the tradesmen we were using (eg. If the news was on when we were in the same room), the general consensus was still the same. I have also noticed that 99% of people I have spoken to all seem to be anti Covid vaccine/think that there was some kind of government conspiracy with hiding the negative effects of the vaccine - this is ranging from the drs I know, to the tradesmen, shop assistants, students etc (not just a small section of society).

I’m suprised that considering I’ve lived in multiple cities in both rich and poor areas, socialised with and have friends in professional careers as well as tradesmen, students, across all ages… most people I encounter seem to all hold the same political views.

I have genuinely only ever met a few truly left wing people in my life, in real life. For example, I’ve never met anyone in real life who has stood up and said “I think that we should take asylum seekers as they’re at risk in their own countries” even though this isn’t extreme! I’ve never met anyone who has said “I think that our taxes should be raised so that we can improve public services”, or “I think it’s really important that we spend on making our country more energy efficient as this is important for eradicating climate change”. How is this possible?! Everyone I’ve ever discussed politics with across a wide range of social classes , careers, ages, locations has always been centre/right.

Please don’t focus on the fact that I’ve used immigration as an example throughout this, it was just one of the stronger examples that I can think of! Another example would be the trans issue - I’ve never met anyone who thinks anything other than “trans people are free to do whatever they like, but sex is a biological fact that you cannot change”.

OP posts:
MrsBennetsPoorNervesAreBack · 01/09/2026 11:19

You seem to have an exceptionally narrow social circle, OP. I meet people in my daily life from all across the political spectrum, and I certainly don't see the very narrow pattern that you have observed.

MNLurker1345 · 01/09/2026 11:17

PBEEBIES · 01/09/2026 11:10

Exactly. Does anybody encounter people this inflammatory in real life? As I genuinely haven’t bar a couple of people at university.

As a PP has said, yes first during the online Brexit debate and on many political threads on MN. Never in real life thankfully. It would be quite frightening.

@Slightyamusedandsilly says “Be up front then. Don't hide…”

But I do wonder if people like this walk through their everyday lives this angry and aggressive, shouting at people who have different views to them, or do they hide behind the anonymity of SM to verbally abuse people.

nomoreforks · 01/09/2026 11:16

The friends I know who vote Labour are those who grew up in families where everyone would naturally vote Labour.. They are generally older (50s and older). I have no political affinity and would descibe myself as pretty middle of the road. Husband grew up in family where everyone voted Labour and would struggle to vote any other way even if their policies were a bit crazy. I think younger people seem to be more extreme in their voting intentions (Green versus Reform) but the political landscape is changing rapidly. Currently I would say that I like Andy Burnham but I am worried that he is going to make some bad decisions. There are not many in the cabinet that I am currently impressed by but I am interested to see what John Healey does in the October budget. I quite like Kemi Badenoch too but I am not sure that I like all of the Conservatives especially after Boris. I like Tom Tugendhat and so I was happy when he became Shadow Foreign Secretary. I mentioned to a good friend (who comes from generations of Labour voters ) that i didn't mind Kemi Badenoch and she couldn't even say her name. I think the opinions that you grow up with have a big influence on your political views as an adult.

BasildonBonds · 01/09/2026 11:13

hcee19 · 01/09/2026 10:17

I too live in Makerfield and not come across anyone who voted for Burnham. Very odd that, don't you think?

Very strange that you don't know a single Labour supporter given that Makerfield has been Labour since 1983.

Burnham won fair and square and Makerfield rejected Reform.

asillysausage · 01/09/2026 11:12

NannyOf8Girls · 01/09/2026 09:34

I live in Makerfield and haven't met anyone who voted for AB in the By Election...

I live in Makerfield too, and I have the same experience as you. Nobody I have spoken to voted AB in the By Election. Personally I voted for the Monster Raving Loony Party as I am so disillusioned with politics atm

moonraker0 · 01/09/2026 11:11

Slightyamusedandsilly · 01/09/2026 11:02

Be up front then. Don't hide behind pseudo 'this is what the general public think'. Because a LOT of the general public aren't racist, anti vax, anti NHS and don't support climate change spending. Also, lots of the general public ARE left-wing.

Stand up and admit, I vote Reform. This is what we think. This is our manifesto.

I think it’s fake news to imply that people who vote for Reform are racist but I already know you’ll disagree because you’ve made your mind up. Maybe you should try asking them why they feel the need to vote for a party that has pledged to deal with immigration instead of assuming and labelling everyone.

bananaobama · 01/09/2026 11:11

How can medical professionals be against the covid vaccine

isnt that what stopped the bloody pandemic?

PBEEBIES · 01/09/2026 11:10

JimBobsWife · 01/09/2026 11:07

How do you know they're fake statements? You don't agree with OP's views so straight off the bat you've decided she/he is a troll or a shill and they're lying.

Exactly. Does anybody encounter people this inflammatory in real life? As I genuinely haven’t bar a couple of people at university.

OP posts:
BasildonBonds · 01/09/2026 11:09

Doozycan · 01/09/2026 11:03

Is this dodgy voting do ya think- seems like the so called majority voters came from thin air

Makerfield has voted in a Labour MP in every election since 1983. So no.

PBEEBIES · 01/09/2026 11:07

Slightyamusedandsilly · 01/09/2026 11:02

Be up front then. Don't hide behind pseudo 'this is what the general public think'. Because a LOT of the general public aren't racist, anti vax, anti NHS and don't support climate change spending. Also, lots of the general public ARE left-wing.

Stand up and admit, I vote Reform. This is what we think. This is our manifesto.

In my experience, I’ve found a lot of the public to hold views stated in my opening post.

It’s people like you that I have no idea where exist in real life. I may encounter a fair few reform voters but I have seldom encountered people as rude as you when it comes to politics in real life.

OP posts:
JimBobsWife · 01/09/2026 11:07

Slightyamusedandsilly · 01/09/2026 11:04

Be upfront with what the purpose is then. Don't hide behind fake statements. It's so Trump fake news.

How do you know they're fake statements? You don't agree with OP's views so straight off the bat you've decided she/he is a troll or a shill and they're lying.

EasternStandard · 01/09/2026 11:05

Slightyamusedandsilly · 01/09/2026 11:04

Be upfront with what the purpose is then. Don't hide behind fake statements. It's so Trump fake news.

Let people post what they like. If it’s too frustrating, hide it.

It’s a good discussion, most can have it without attacks.

bananaobama · 01/09/2026 11:05

It’s me; hi!

I’m the problem, it’s me!

Slightyamusedandsilly · 01/09/2026 11:04

Doozycan · 01/09/2026 11:03

Is this dodgy voting do ya think- seems like the so called majority voters came from thin air

EXACTLY! It's Trump, UK stylie.

Slightyamusedandsilly · 01/09/2026 11:04

EasternStandard · 01/09/2026 11:01

Exactly. Why do posters order others off the site.

Be upfront with what the purpose is then. Don't hide behind fake statements. It's so Trump fake news.

Doozycan · 01/09/2026 11:03

hcee19 · 01/09/2026 10:17

I too live in Makerfield and not come across anyone who voted for Burnham. Very odd that, don't you think?

Is this dodgy voting do ya think- seems like the so called majority voters came from thin air

Slightyamusedandsilly · 01/09/2026 11:02

JimBobsWife · 01/09/2026 10:58

"Take your Reform voting propaganda elsewhere."

Last time I checked, it's legal to vote for Reform.

So even if that is OP's intent (which isn't yet clear), why should she take her views elsewhere? Are only views you find palatable allowed to be discussed here?

Be up front then. Don't hide behind pseudo 'this is what the general public think'. Because a LOT of the general public aren't racist, anti vax, anti NHS and don't support climate change spending. Also, lots of the general public ARE left-wing.

Stand up and admit, I vote Reform. This is what we think. This is our manifesto.

nam3c4ang3 · 01/09/2026 11:02

I think i know one couple who are left-leaning - theyre not super vocal about it tho - and they are both bankers. I only found out as one of them said it when they were drunk 😂 - i would say they are middle-left. They hate AB.

EasternStandard · 01/09/2026 11:01

JimBobsWife · 01/09/2026 10:58

"Take your Reform voting propaganda elsewhere."

Last time I checked, it's legal to vote for Reform.

So even if that is OP's intent (which isn't yet clear), why should she take her views elsewhere? Are only views you find palatable allowed to be discussed here?

Exactly. Why do posters order others off the site.

BasildonBonds · 01/09/2026 11:01

PBEEBIES · 01/09/2026 10:53

I think Tory and reform.

It seems odd to me that they would vote for the very government which they believe conspired to hide the negative effects of the vaccine. It doesn't quite add up.

Slightyamusedandsilly · 01/09/2026 10:59

Well you're not pro vax either are you? No one I have encountered, other than one person with long covid who has a strong opinion, EVER mentions covid/covid vaccinations either negatively or positively now. The topic isn't current. If you're talking about it with doctors, tradespeople, shop workers, students, the common denominator in those conversations is you.

'I have also noticed that 99% of people I have spoken to all seem to be anti Covid vaccine/think that there was some kind of government conspiracy with hiding the negative effects of the vaccine - this is ranging from the drs I know, to the tradesmen, shop assistants, students etc (not just a small section of society).'

JimBobsWife · 01/09/2026 10:58

Slightyamusedandsilly · 01/09/2026 10:46

This is 100% a piss take.

I have also noticed that 99% of people I have spoken to all seem to be anti Covid vaccine/think that there was some kind of government conspiracy with hiding the negative effects of the vaccine - this is ranging from the drs I know, to the tradesmen, shop assistants, students etc (not just a small section of society). Really? Because 95% of the people I come into contact with are pro vaccine. And the only individuals I've met who are anti are 5G reform voting nutters.

I have genuinely only ever met a few truly left wing people in my life, in real life. For example, I’ve never met anyone in real life who has stood up and said “I think that we should take asylum seekers as they’re at risk in their own countries” Again, really? I have asylum seeker friends. I cannot imagine anyone wanting them to be returned to almost certain death. They're now productive tax paying members of society (unlike many native Brits who are happy to exist on benefits).

“I think that our taxes should be raised so that we can improve public services” Really? No one thinks education or the NHS need improving and we can contribute to that through slightly higher taxes? Have you watched your elderly parents suffer in A&E because there are no beds and be cared for by non-Brits (see point 2 above).

“I think it’s really important that we spend on making our country more energy efficient as this is important for eradicating climate change”. Even if they weren't saying it before this summer, I bet a lot of them are now. I don't live in a hotter part of the UK but even I'm considering a move to Scotland.

Take your Reform voting propaganda elsewhere. OR learn to be a LOT more subtle in your approach. The sledgehammer only helps with flag w*nkers and roundabout painters.

"Take your Reform voting propaganda elsewhere."

Last time I checked, it's legal to vote for Reform.

So even if that is OP's intent (which isn't yet clear), why should she take her views elsewhere? Are only views you find palatable allowed to be discussed here?

Sartre · 01/09/2026 10:58

Have you ever mingled with humanities academics? Many are left leaning, some quite far. The students also tend to be though this is a sweeping statement. I’m always grateful when someone offers an opinion outside of the status quo but it’s rare. I think it must be quite isolating to be right wing at uni unless you’re studying political economy or something.

EasternStandard · 01/09/2026 10:57

Slightyamusedandsilly · 01/09/2026 10:55

Totally agree with this. But implying that no one believes in the points she's raised is nuts. Clearly some do. And not a small minority either.

Edited

In answer to the op’s question I would say they’re here. And in other high voting Labour / Green areas.

It’s really easy these days to feel like everyone around you is a politically aligned with each other because we tend to live in areas that have that.

moonraker0 · 01/09/2026 10:56

Slightyamusedandsilly · 01/09/2026 10:46

This is 100% a piss take.

I have also noticed that 99% of people I have spoken to all seem to be anti Covid vaccine/think that there was some kind of government conspiracy with hiding the negative effects of the vaccine - this is ranging from the drs I know, to the tradesmen, shop assistants, students etc (not just a small section of society). Really? Because 95% of the people I come into contact with are pro vaccine. And the only individuals I've met who are anti are 5G reform voting nutters.

I have genuinely only ever met a few truly left wing people in my life, in real life. For example, I’ve never met anyone in real life who has stood up and said “I think that we should take asylum seekers as they’re at risk in their own countries” Again, really? I have asylum seeker friends. I cannot imagine anyone wanting them to be returned to almost certain death. They're now productive tax paying members of society (unlike many native Brits who are happy to exist on benefits).

“I think that our taxes should be raised so that we can improve public services” Really? No one thinks education or the NHS need improving and we can contribute to that through slightly higher taxes? Have you watched your elderly parents suffer in A&E because there are no beds and be cared for by non-Brits (see point 2 above).

“I think it’s really important that we spend on making our country more energy efficient as this is important for eradicating climate change”. Even if they weren't saying it before this summer, I bet a lot of them are now. I don't live in a hotter part of the UK but even I'm considering a move to Scotland.

Take your Reform voting propaganda elsewhere. OR learn to be a LOT more subtle in your approach. The sledgehammer only helps with flag w*nkers and roundabout painters.

Replies like this are the reason no one can ever have a proper conversation about the issues this country is facing. You would think that after Brexit people would get down off their high horse and stop being so sanctimonious because talking down to anyone that doesn’t agree with you didn’t get anyone far when we voted to leave the EU. Call them flag wankers all you want, people will just stop voicing their opinions and vote in the ballot box quietly as we’ve seen in the past. Judgment only makes people more determined, I’ve never seen anyone change their minds because they’ve been called a flag wanker.

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