The Forgotten Working Class: Life Outside the Cities and the North

When politicians and the media discuss the working class, the focus is almost always on two groups: the urban poor in major cities or the 'Red Wall' voters in the North of England. While these narratives are important, they overlook a vast and largely ignored group... the working-class people living in small towns and rural areas.

For those of us growing up in these overlooked spaces, the struggle is just as real, yet far less acknowledged. The absence of major industries, poor public transport, lack of investment, and declining job opportunities mean that working-class people in these areas face a different but equally harsh reality.

Isolation and Lack of Opportunity

Living in a rural town or a small, economically declining area means fewer job prospects. Major industries and office hubs are far away, making commuting difficult without a car. Public transport is unreliable or non-existent, meaning many people are effectively cut off from better employment opportunities. Unlike in cities, where at least there are networks of opportunities and infrastructure that can provide some economic mobility, rural and small-town working-class communities are often left behind, unable to access those same ladders to success.

Education follows the same trend. While cities have multiple universities, colleges, and further education opportunities, young people in small towns are often left with limited choices. Many are forced to leave their hometowns if they want to pursue higher education, but for those who can't afford to relocate, the options are bleak. This creates a cycle where opportunities exist elsewhere, but only for those who can afford to reach them.

According to the Office for National Statistics, only 29% of young people from rural areas attend university, compared to 47% from urban areas. Additionally, rural students are less likely to achieve high graduate earnings, with the Social Mobility Commission stating that students from disadvantaged rural backgrounds earn 10% less than their urban counterparts after graduation.

The Myth of the Rural Idyllic Life

There is a long-standing romanticisation of the countryside and small-town life: rolling hills, tight-knit communities, fresh air. But the reality for the working class in these areas is very different.

Rural poverty often gets dismissed or ignored because it doesn’t fit the stereotypes of urban deprivation. While people in cities have some access to social services, food banks, and welfare support organisations, small-town and rural working-class families are left in the dark. The infrastructure to support them simply isn’t there, and what little support does exist is stretched thin. Those struggling are often hidden behind the picturesque landscapes and the assumption that life outside the cities is somehow easier.

This struggle is even more pronounced for those who are poor in traditionally wealthy areas. In affluent countryside towns and commuter belt regions, the working class exists in the shadows, often ignored by both policymakers and their wealthier neighbours. The high cost of living in these areas, driven by wealthy homeowners and second-home buyers, means that low-income families struggle even more. Housing, food, and transport costs are disproportionately high compared to wages, and social services are often geared towards middle-class residents rather than those in need. Being poor in a wealthy area also brings social isolation, as working-class individuals may feel alienated from community events, school activities, or even basic socialising, which can be unaffordable.

Political and Media Neglect

Policies meant to help the working class often focus on urban areas, leaving small towns and rural working-class communities as an afterthought. Government investment rarely reaches these places, and when it does, it’s often in the form of short-term projects rather than long-term development.

The media also plays a role in erasing these communities. Popular representations of the working class overwhelmingly focus on either the northern industrial worker or the struggling urban poor. Small-town and rural poverty rarely make it into mainstream discussions, reinforcing the stereotype that poverty is an exclusively city-based issue. When rural areas are depicted, they are often romanticised as idyllic retreats or written off as Tory heartlands, ignoring the working-class struggles happening within them.

During elections, the narrative around ‘working-class voters’ tends to focus on former industrial towns in the North, ignoring the realities of working-class people elsewhere. In many cases, the politics of small-town and rural areas swing towards apathy or protest votes, as people feel increasingly disconnected from the wider political discourse.

The Political and Social Consequences

This lack of representation has real political consequences. When small-town and rural working-class voices are ignored, policies continue to be designed with urban problems in mind, further alienating those outside major cities. It leads to increasing resentment, distrust in the political system, and in many cases, reactionary voting patterns. People feel abandoned and, as a result, often turn to populist figures or anti-establishment movements as a way of expressing their frustration.

The isolation of these communities also has significant social consequences. Many rural and small-town areas are overwhelmingly white, meaning that working-class people who grow up in these places may have little exposure to diverse cultures, ideas, or experiences.Being surrounded by homogeneity can make it harder to engage with broader national and global conversations about race, inequality, and social justice. At the same time, those who do hold progressive or left-leaning views often find themselves isolated or forced into silence in communities where conservative or nationalist politics dominate. The lack of exposure to different communities can perpetuate cycles of misinformation, fear, and resentment towards those seen as "outsiders."

With fewer job opportunities, rising costs, and a lack of social mobility, feelings of hopelessness and stagnation are common. The ‘strong community’ image that people associate with small towns has, in many places, broken down due to economic struggles. The closure of pubs, community centres, and local services has left people more disconnected than ever. This isolation can reinforce narrow perspectives, limit opportunities for social mobility, and contribute to the rise of insular, sometimes reactionary, political attitudes. The sense of isolation and lack of opportunity takes a toll on mental health. While urban areas have at least some mental health support services, small-town and rural working-class communities are often left with minimal access to healthcare.

For many young people in these areas, the only way to get ahead is to leave. Small towns are losing their young populations to cities where jobs, education, and opportunities are more plentiful. This ‘brain drain’ leaves behind an ageing population, further compounding the economic and social decline of these areas. Young people who want to escape these limitations, the path is difficult. The cost of leaving, whether for education, better job opportunities, or simply to experience diversity, is often too high. Many are trapped by financial constraints, a lack of public transport, or familial responsibilities. Those who stay behind often find themselves trapped in low-wage, seasonal, or insecure jobs with few pathways out. Industries such as agriculture, retail, and care work dominate, offering little in terms of career progression. Meanwhile, the few well-paying jobs available are often taken by those who move into these areas from wealthier backgrounds, reinforcing the divide. For those who do manage to leave, returning home can feel impossible, as opportunities are scarce, and the cultural divide between them and their hometowns grows wider.

The idea that the working class is only found in urban centres or northern industrial towns is outdated and inaccurate. The reality is that economic struggle exists in every corner of the country, and small-town and rural working-class people are among the most neglected. Policy conversations and media coverage need to stop overlooking these communities. Investment, infrastructure, and support services must be extended beyond city limits. Until that happens, the forgotten working class will remain unheard, struggling in silence while politicians and commentators continue to ignore their reality.