Left-wing vs right-wing: it’s complicated

YouGov shows that the left-wing to right-wing political spectrum is actually much more complex than previously thought when it comes to public opinion
A new angle of attack from Jeremy Corbyn seems to be that Boris Johnson is presiding over the most right-wing government in living memory.

That might be a helpful move if politicians had an accurate assessment of where the public stands on the left-right spectrum. But if the reaction in Westminster to YouGov survey data from earlier this week showing that 75% of Brits (including 61% of Labour voters) support the PM’s proposed expansion of stop and search powers is anything to go by, they may well not.

Framing politics in terms of left-wing and right-wing might be simple for politicians, and comforting to activists, but it seems that these terms just aren’t that useful for talking about - or indeed to - the general public.

A new YouGov study reveals that the political wing spectrum is poorly understood and also that huge numbers of people don’t hold consistent left- and right-wing outlooks.

(Please note this is all before even getting into the argument about whether the left- and right-wing scale should be accompanied by an authoritarian/libertarian axis. The data explored below is all public opinion regarding each policy we tested; YouGov has made no declaration that any given policy is left-wing, right-wing or otherwise.)

https://yougov.co.uk/topics/politics/articles-reports/2019/08/13/left-wing-vs-right-wing-its-complicated

More to read on the link

I agree and disagree with points from both sides...as I imagine most sensible people do.
Thats the problem with putting people in labelled boxes......it never gives a true picture.

Even more reason why the "political compass" model is more relevent tnen a simplified "political spectrum"...

And why I prefer to treat people as individuals, as the various issues change on here..

Maybe it's time to introduce a 3D model of the "political compass"  --  now what to have as the 'Z' axis  ?

WhoseYourWolfie wrote:

Even more reason why the "political compass" model is more relevent tnen a simplified "political spectrum"...

And why I prefer to treat people as individuals, as the various issues change on here..

Maybe it's time to introduce a 3D model of the "political compass"  --  now what to have as the 'Z' axis  ?

WhoseYourWolfie wrote:

Even more reason why the "political compass" model is more relevent tnen a simplified "political spectrum"...

And why I prefer to treat people as individuals, as the various issues change on here..

Maybe it's time to introduce a 3D model of the "political compass"  --  now what to have as the 'Z' axis  ?

https://www.politicalcompass.org/uselection2020

I'm highly distrustful of survey research studies in the wake of the 2016 presidential election. It looks like people are fibbing, for whatever reasons, in their answers to questions.

Maddog wrote:

WhoseYourWolfie wrote:

Even more reason why the "political compass" model is more relevent tnen a simplified "political spectrum"...

And why I prefer to treat people as individuals, as the various issues change on here..

Maybe it's time to introduce a 3D model of the "political compass"  --  now what to have as the 'Z' axis  ?

That's correct, Dingus...

That's why I don't attack all Yanks, or even all southern rednecks, based on whatever stupidities you come out with this week..

Unlike certain Brits on here who regularly berate all lefties on one news item, or attack all Aussies or Yanks based on certain individuals..

WhoseYourWolfie wrote:

Even more reason why the "political compass" model is more relevent tnen a simplified "political spectrum"...

And why I prefer to treat people as individuals, as the various issues change on here..

Maybe it's time to introduce a 3D model of the "political compass"  --  now what to have as the 'Z' axis  ?

You what? You regularly berate groups of people for being "right wing", whether they are or not.

WhoseYourWolfie wrote:

Maddog wrote:

That's correct,  Dingus...

That's why I don't attack all Yanks,  or even all southern rednecks, based on whatever stupidities you come out with this week..

Unlike certain Brits on here who regularly berate all lefties on one news item, or attack all Aussies or Yanks based on certain individuals..

You use all sorts of adjectives/insults based on your idea of someone's political leanings.

It's your standard MO.

Maddog wrote:

WhoseYourWolfie wrote:


That's correct,  Dingus...

That's why I don't attack all Yanks,  or even all southern rednecks, based on whatever stupidities you come out with this week..

Unlike certain Brits on here who regularly berate all lefties on one news item, or attack all Aussies or Yanks based on certain individuals..

You use all sorts of adjectives/insults based on your idea of someone's political leanings.

It's your standard MO.  

Not quite right, shithead...

I tailor my insults to whatever rubbish my opponents have posted..

Politics is simply one of several parameters that I might respond to.

Syl wrote:I agree and disagree with points from both sides...as I imagine most sensible people do.
Thats the problem with putting people in labelled boxes......it never gives a true picture.

Exactly! Labels, labels everywhere. Dangerous.

WhoseYourWolfie wrote:

Maddog wrote:

You use all sorts of adjectives/insults based on your idea of someone's political leanings.

It's your standard MO.  

Not quite right,  shithead...

I tailor my insults to whatever rubbish my opponents have posted..

Politics is simply one of several parameters that I might respond to.

Oh yes, you're ad hominems span the spectrum. You should be so proud of yourself.