Basic Values and Partisanship

Abstract

Chapter 4 focuses on the interaction between partisanship and basic values in British politics. Survey data are used here to develop a compelling narrative of ‘psychological sorting’ in Parliament along partisan lines that has implications for why and how partisans (otherwise competitors for votes and promotions) cooperate to achieve common goals. In particular, Labour and Conservative Party MPs demonstrate clear differences in their basic values, but the picture is far more nuanced when comparing MPs in each party to their voters. Analyses reported in this chapter show (a) partisanship and basic values share a strong relationship at all levels, (b) differences in basic values between partisan elites are greater than those between partisans in the public, and (c) psychological congruence between leaders and followers occurs to a much greater extent on the Right of British politics than the Left.