ABSTRACT
A research programme for studying change in the middle class and evaluating its significance cannot therefore be separated from the study of class relations generally. The class formation of the middle class might be investigated in relation to the extent to which change has taken place along three same dimensions: the economic, relational and normative. Some of the changes in union membership may be explained by changes in employment sector by individuals. Whilst the majority of people have stayed in their sector of employment, there has been some leakage particularly from the private sector with the voluntary sector showing some growth. The evidence on relational aspect of class is harder to find from questionnaire data since it involves looking at friendship networks, intermarriage and patterns of leisure and association. The lack of significance in the relationship between voting and sector indicates that sector is not the major determinant of voting intention.
