by University of Cambridge
political engagement continues to climb in other 'left behind' areas,
while in the former mining communities it drops off again after 2017.
This discontent with contemporary politics also extends to newer
populist and nationalist parties. While they favored Leave in the
referendum, those in coalfield communities are still less likely to vote
for UKIP, the SNP or Plaid Cymru than those in other areas with similar
social and economic struggles.
"It seems that the modern Left may not have lost the people in former
mining communities to populism or emerging nationalist parties, but
rather apathy and cynicism," said Abreu, from Cambridge's Department of
Land Economy.
In addition, and contrary to cinematic depictions and public
perceptions, the research didn't detect any greater sense of community
cohesion in former mining neighborhoods compared to other economically
depressed areas.
"It's been over thirty years since large numbers of people went
underground for work, plenty of time for strong social relationships to
dwindle," said co-author Dr. Calvin Jones from Cardiff Business School.
"Loss of solidarity among these communities may have been compounded by
austerity in recent years."
"However, it is also possible that the other deprived communities to which we compared former mining areas—from housing estates to rundown seaside towns—actually have higher levels of social cohesion than might be expected."