Me too. I did struggle with some of the questions and I think my views are a bit nuanced, depending on context. Soft-left liberal probably describes me best. I wasn't keen on the distribution of wealth question. I do think the wealthy should pay more tax but I'd prefer it to be invested in services or infrastructure, rather than being distributed to poorer people directly.
I’m a Well-Off Traditionalist - which is pretty accurate. But the Wet Tory traditions I cherish are no longer welcome in the Conservative Party. I’m not sure the read across from Tribe to Vote is as straightforward as Curtice suggests. (Why doesn’t he ask what happened to 2016 Conservative voters, rather than Johnson’s broad coalition?)
I must admit the More in Common questions/ segments worked better for me. Spouse, former Tory SPAD, but very much on the left of the party, also came out as uncategorisable.
Love the ‘quiz’ interestingly all my kids did it and all three of them ‘broke the algorithm’ for holding an unusual set of views - not sure what that means for the future or maybe my kids just a bit odd.
I keep trying to make a point about length of the electoral cycle.
Between 1964 and 1979 (15 years), there were two changes of governing party (70 and 74).
Between 1979 and 2024 (45 years - i.e. three times as long), there were also two changes of governing party (Blair 97 and Cameron 2010). Typically, governing parties tend to have three (or sometimes four) terms.
Surely, this is an important change. Also, on the face of it, wouldn't you expect an incoming government with a predicted large majority to reasonably expect two or three terms?
If a government did anticipate two or more terms, you would imagine they could focus on longer term policies. Indeed, Starmer talks about 'a decade of national renewal'.
But I haven't heard this discussed by the commentariat.
Great. Took the 12-question test and am an uncategorisable weirdo. I mean, not unexpected, but harsh to be told so by Sir John Curtice.
Very interesting post.
Me too. I did struggle with some of the questions and I think my views are a bit nuanced, depending on context. Soft-left liberal probably describes me best. I wasn't keen on the distribution of wealth question. I do think the wealthy should pay more tax but I'd prefer it to be invested in services or infrastructure, rather than being distributed to poorer people directly.
I’m a Well-Off Traditionalist - which is pretty accurate. But the Wet Tory traditions I cherish are no longer welcome in the Conservative Party. I’m not sure the read across from Tribe to Vote is as straightforward as Curtice suggests. (Why doesn’t he ask what happened to 2016 Conservative voters, rather than Johnson’s broad coalition?)
I must admit the More in Common questions/ segments worked better for me. Spouse, former Tory SPAD, but very much on the left of the party, also came out as uncategorisable.
It's JOHN CURTICE!!!!
Basically this is like meeting the king, but for psephologically-obsessed weirdoes.
Yes, Paul McCartney must be flattered by the comparison 🎸
Love the ‘quiz’ interestingly all my kids did it and all three of them ‘broke the algorithm’ for holding an unusual set of views - not sure what that means for the future or maybe my kids just a bit odd.
I keep trying to make a point about length of the electoral cycle.
Between 1964 and 1979 (15 years), there were two changes of governing party (70 and 74).
Between 1979 and 2024 (45 years - i.e. three times as long), there were also two changes of governing party (Blair 97 and Cameron 2010). Typically, governing parties tend to have three (or sometimes four) terms.
Surely, this is an important change. Also, on the face of it, wouldn't you expect an incoming government with a predicted large majority to reasonably expect two or three terms?
If a government did anticipate two or more terms, you would imagine they could focus on longer term policies. Indeed, Starmer talks about 'a decade of national renewal'.
But I haven't heard this discussed by the commentariat.
A lot of people are overcorrecting after they confidently asserted Boris Johnson would be PM for ten years.
So pleased I signed up to Sam's substack.