I’ve lost count of the number of times I have been called a “metropolitan liberal elite” on social media under posts where I’ve shown support for re-joining the EU or spoken out against racism (for example). It is the ‘go to’ comeback by people who think differently from me.
While people like me are being called this by ‘ordinary people’ on social media, we’re also being called it by people in the media on TV channels such as GB News, radio channels such as Talk Radio and newspapers like The Daily Mail and The Telegraph. The accusations have become worse since I stepped up and joined people leading the march for the UK to rejoin the EU. Occasionally even to my face by people in the sector I work if I bring up any of my beliefs in conversation.
Metropolitan liberal elite
What does it even mean? Well, the dictionary says:
“a group of people with education, money and other advantages, often living in cities, who have liberal political views and are seen as not understanding the problems and views of ordinary people”.
The term was born in the USA, but it used now in many countries across the world, from China to the UK. In the UK it is first thought to have been brought to the front by ex-BNP leader, Nick Griffin. Still used up to this day even in the heart of government, with the likes of Priti Patel calling people who think like me “North London metropolitan liberal elites”, which by the way, some Jewish people actually think is a form of coded antisemitism.
I’m a lorry driver
So am I a “metropolitan liberal elite” then? Well, I’m a lorry driver, I deliver bricks to building sites with a 46 tonne lorry that has a crane on the back. When I get to building sites, I have a laugh with builders and forklift drivers who all seem like ‘ordinary people’ about things which we clearly have in common. Their lives seem no different from mine. So, I must be ‘ordinary’?
My education is basic at best. I have six GCSEs, all grade C, apart from Business Studies in which I have a B (because I liked that teacher). I then joined the army in the Royal Signals and, again, was able to have a laugh with other soldiers I served with who all seemed like “ordinary people”. In fact, the only education I have that is useful to my life, is my HGV driving licence, which I obtained while in the army because it was essential for the job I did whilst serving.
Money
Do I have money? No. I have zero savings and the money myself and my partner earn is spent by the end of each month on bills. We are in a private rented house, unable to afford to save the needed amount for a deposit to buy our own house. And we weren’t even as lucky as we feel currently for well over half our relationship. When we first left the army together and moved into our council house, the education we had taught us nothing about the reality of bills – it’s not taught in schools. Joining the army at an early age didn’t help either, as most bills come out of the wages before we get what’s left to put into the bank account. So we ended up in trouble to the extent of becoming homeless due to being unable to pay our bills. This is what forced us into private renting.
We went through the benefits system and ended up owing money to them. During this time, while at job centres, I seemed to be able to have a laugh with people around me, in the same situation, all ‘ordinary’ people. At no point, at any time in my life, have I felt I’m better than the people around me – quite the opposite. I’ve never wanted to tell people how to live their lives either. So, I must be ‘ordinary’. I also don’t live in a city. So I fail on every single part of the meaning of ‘metropolitan liberal elite’.
My views on rights and Brexit
Yet I have these views. I think women should have equal rights. I think money should be more equally divided between the population of the world. I think racism is just stupid and the historical oppressor (white people) should do whatever we can to address that balance. I believe in human made climate change. I think Meghan is being treated unfairly by the media and population of the UK. Oh, and I think Brexit is an absolute travesty and the UK should rejoin the EU as soon as humanly possible. So what’s going on?
Well, I think it’s pretty obvious. The term “metropolitan liberal elite” was not invented by ‘ordinary people’. It was invented and defined by, you guessed it, people with lots of money who live in their own bubbles and who think they’re better than other people. Why did they invent it then throw it out constantly in places where ‘ordinary people’ get their news from? To divide us “ordinary people”. So that we fight amongst ourselves while they get to keep everything they have from the money to the power to the advantages. They mostly even live in cities. They, unlike me and probably you, actually fit every single part of the meaning of “metropolitan liberal elite”.
I’m not falling for it. Are you?
