Project Overview

This project communicates an understanding of political polarisation through an interactive narrative. I oppose the continual labelling of growing radicalisation as simply 'polarisation'. There is an attempt here to equate the views of the far left and far right in hopes of maintaining the existing state of affairs. Both wings of the political spectrum feel politically disillusioned, poorer, more insecure, and fearful of the future; we are united in our experiences but divided in our diagnosis. We are often told by politicians and the media that society must become 'less polarised,'' yet this wilful ignorance of the material conditions that cause such division is exactly what we should expect from those who benefit from the status quo. This work seeks to show that the majority of society are far more united than we often think; by engaging with people on the other side of the political spectrum we can begin to understand our common interests and open pathways to change.

Concept

The inspiration for this project came from studying recent YouGov polling and the estimated seat projections for the 2029 general election. Those results made it clear that a unified public, one that resists scapegoating and information manipulation, is necessary for the future of the UK. The collapse of the two-party system, often framed as a crisis, is not a disease but a symptom of a failing socio-economic system. I have been greatly inspired by Rafael Lozano-Hemmer and Hans Haacke; their fusion of physical and digital public interaction demonstrated how responsive, participatory art can reframe political feeling and civic engagement.

Process

The project was built using standard HTML and JavaScript. It uses data visualisation and interactive input to create a participatory experience, revealing shared attitudes between politically opposed groups. All data comes from reputable studies and reports referenced on the site's index page. The calculations used to produce the statistics are transparent and documented, every assumption and step is accessible for verification on the index page.

Purpose

The primary aim of this project is to present an economic reading of our current political situation and to encourage a class-based analysis that highlights the shared material conditions uniting people across ideological divides. My primary audience is young working voters across the UK who feel politically uncertain in this period of instability. I hope to inspire a more open-minded approach to those with opposing political views by grounding conversation in empathy, lived experience, and material reality. Only by recognising the concrete fears and beliefs produced by people's environments can we begin to engage in meaningful dialogue; challenging misconceptions and moving towards perspectives rooted in shared reality rather than dismissal.