Joel Budd offers a compelling, myth-busting account of a group often misunderstood and misrepresented in political and media narratives. Budd, a journalist for The Economist, spent years traveling across the UK-from Teesside to the Isle of Wight, from South Wales to Lincolnshire-engaging with individuals about their lives, struggles, and aspirations. Contrary to the common portrayal of the white working class as backward-looking, grumpy, or incorrigibly xenophobic, Budd reveals a diverse and dynamic community actively contributing to social and cultural change.
The book challenges the oversimplified narratives that have emerged, especially post-Brexit, where one-third of the population has been reduced to a caricature. Budd introduces categories such as ‘heartlands,’ ‘enclaves,’ and ‘colonies’ to explore the varied geographic and social landscapes of working-class communities. He emphasizes that the white working class is not merely grumbling about the transformation of Britain but is, with warmth and determination, pushing the country forward.