One is the decline of the traditional working class and the growth of a more affluent middle class, underpinned by changes in occupation and housing. Trade-union membership and public-sector employment have fallen.
之所以如此，有几个原因。一是传统工人阶级的衰落和更丰裕的中产阶级的成长，这一趋势的基础是居住和拥有住房状况的变化。工会成员和公共部门就业下降。参加政党的人数随着非左即右的意识形态二分的消退而迅速下降。