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Original poster

Are you a pioneer, prospector or settler? A new(ish) way of categorising voters.

27 replies

Solopower · 08/10/2011 12:55

I heard Graeme Cooke (one time head of David Miliband's brains trust) talking about this on the radio this morning, and I tried to find the article he has written, but without success. However, there was a piece about him in the Guardian on 14 July, here: www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2011/jul/14/ed-miliband-phone-hacking

Has this already been discussed on Mumsnet?

I think it's interesting because I have felt lost for the last 10 years or so - not knowing who on earth to vote for, and feeling that the old certainties as to who was left/right/centre just don't exist any more.

GC divides us up into pioneers, settlers and prospectors, rather than left, right, middle. Here they are, according to the article:

'Pioneers (41% of Britons) are global, networked, like innovation and believe in the importance of ethics.

Prospectors (28%) like success, ambition, seek the esteem of others and if they think a party can help them help themselves, they are on board. ... Prospectors are looking for someone who can advance their standards of living and social status.

Settlers (31%) see things in terms of right and wrong, are wary of change, seek security and have a strong sense of place ? patriotism and national security motivate them to vote'.

Unfortunately, however, this still leaves me out in the cold, as I don't feel I fit into any of the groups!

I'd be interested to know if anyone out there does.

OP posts:
Original poster
Solopower · 08/10/2011 13:24

As always, Hanahsaunt, I didn't hear the whole piece. What you say sounds about right, though. I think the settlers are gaining ground - everyone wants more security in these scary times. I also think that it is a good thing that people are becoming worried about globalisation. Pity that they think ethics are less important, though (if they do).

OP posts:
hanahsaunt · 08/10/2011 13:04

Didn't he say this morning that it has really shifted in the last 2-3 years with the majority now being classed as settlers with the decline coming mainly from the pioneers? It being a hunkering down, recession type mentality? I found him really interesting and good to see people trying to surmount the terminally tedious class arguments in politics. I think I'm a pioneer.

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