Introduction

This second fieldwork chapter will largely be based on data from the Open Society Foundation (OSF) study derived from interviews in Waltham Forest. The discussion will address white working-class anxiety about fairness and equity from government in relation to public benefits, such as social housing, and about the ability to have a voice in public affairs. Again, some of the discussion with participants appeared to be underpinned by racist language indicative of the micro-‘clash of civilisations’ that based political debates on community cohesion and integration. Yet, the interviews also revealed a more progressive view that supports both multiculturalism and the dynamic sense of identity. The complexity of views, sometimes reactionary and at other times progressive, may be symptomatic of the way in which national debates have been played out, especially since 2001, when measures were taken to reduce immigration, as well as to build cohesive neighbourhoods and common national values. Britain is represented in near-crisis terms, as almost a country under siege, with its borders needing to be secured and a reaffirmation of identity advanced by the media and commentators. It is no surprise that local debates conducted with communities, who are often framed as victims of change, become racialised.

Fairness and equity

One of the central concerns of this book is the disconnection of white working-class communities from political institutions. This chapter attempts to identify some of the reasons for this detachment from established ways of conducting politics and the consequent resentment. One explanation given was that the white working class do not feel that they have been treated fairly by government. In employment, social services, community development and, most notably, housing, a strong and consistent view was expressed that residents lost out to minorities and new migrants. A related narrative in the fieldwork and also in some of the wider literature was that white working-class communities have been politically marginalised and ignored. This was linked to themes on the politics of resentment discussed earlier in Chapters One and Two (Rhodes, 2010; Kenny, 2011 ).

Being treated unfairly was most vividly seen in the specific debates on social housing. Many were proud to be social housing tenants and resented the portrayal of these neighbourhoods as council estates beset by social problems. Indeed, social housing tenants were largely content with their housing; it was affordable, regulated and maintained.