Policy by and for the Working Class

Being in a space where you don’t see others from a similar background is tricky. Creating policies and visionary futures of a better life for people and planet but with little to no voice from those most struggling. Odd, isn’t it?

Unfortunately, we have policy done to people and not with them. Policy with all the best intentions in the world to create a better life yet falls far short of what is needed. Tinkering around the edges and trying to change the rules of the game rather than getting rid of the game itself. The game that exploits workers on little pay and rising costs of everyday essentials. The game that causes communities to close pubs and community centres. The game that burns fossil fuels that harm our health and livelihood.

Why is participation and class important? Maybe, my experience of finishing university and missing out on the joy of graduation can explain it.

Universal Credit (UC) was introduced to “simplify” how welfare is given to those unemployed, underemployed or long-term sick. Which, should, sound great. But I’m sure many don’t realise the brutal stipulations that come with it. A 6-week wait till your first payment. “Job coaches” are more prison guard than helper. Sanctions for missed meetings.

Unfortunately, my dad was on UC. Years of poor health, he was stuck in this system. The heartlessness of it first came to the fore when I asked him to come over to my graduation ceremony in Belfast – he couldn’t. My graduation was the same day as his weekly “job coach” meeting. If he missed this, they would dock his payment. No questions asked. I even offered to work more shifts to pay for the flight over and make up what he would lose out on. But, bless him, he was too scared even to ask them.

In a society where those struggling have a say in designing the policies that affect them the most, would they come up with these merciless policies and processes? No! Gather a random selection of 100 working-class individuals from communities from all over the UK, and I can assure you UC would be the last thing they come up with.

This is why I push for class to be central in creating a new economy. By not doing so, we rob moments of joy from those who deserve it the most. If we did, we create a society where those struggling get to have a say in the decisions that affect their lives. This is true democracy. You cannot have political democracy without economic democracy – ownership of the economy grounds the rest.

I genuinely believe the working class understand the economy better than the economists. They just don’t think so yet. Ask anyone on the street, “How is the economy run?” and you’ll get confused faces and sighs. Now, reframe it. Ask them whether they know about high rents, low-paid precarious work, and lack of investment in their local communities. Watch how the nods of approval and sounds of affirmation ring out. The working class understand the economy. After all, it is their daily lives. They just don’t have the confidence.

Economic and social policy spaces need to change. How can we speak of an emancipatory future economy unless those most affected by what it has a say in it? This is not to say fill these roles with marginalised individuals and let that be it. Definitely not.  This is also not to say get rid of all the policy wonks and researchers. But to get them both around the table co-creating what they want the future to look like – both with their own expertise, skills and know-how. Watch how something better will flourish than otherwise would have been the case leaving it to just the think tanks and academics.

My story isn’t an outlier. There are thousands of similar stories out there. And I don’t want you to feel sorry for me. But turn that sorry woe into something actionable. We have a world to win. Let’s get to it.

Niall Glynn is the founder of the Working Class Economists, you can find out more about them here.