On the one hand there are the conseverative/republicans whose support comes from the moneyed classes in the cities and most rural areas. They want stability, everyone to know their place, the right to tell people that they are doing it wrong (although they want privacy in their own homes) and when things go wrong, they look for who is to blame (usually not themselves). They believe that if you get on in life, good things will come to you. If they don't, it's a sign that there is something wrong with you because God/the Market won't screw the hard working man. There is nothing so pitiful as a conservative who asks for help.
On the other hand there is the urban middle classes. They want improvement, social mobility, don't care what you do behind closed doors (although you shouldn't endanger yourself or others) and when things go wrong they look to see who can help. They think you should do your part and that society should reward you for your efforts. There is nothing so pitiful as a socialist who refuses to help.
The urban working classes act slightly differently. They don't tend to vote in either country (even less in the UK than in the US I think) and are less interested in social mobility. 'No better than you should be' is their by-word. They lean to the right but can also vote left depending to a large extent I think on whether they have been politicised, by unionisation or racial or religious agitators and which media they entertain.
They are many fringe groups but they don't have any say.
