Owen Jones opens Chavs with an uncomfortable vignette from an east London dinner party where, a few months after the start of the credit crunch, a group of well-educated professionals are eating a blackcurrant cheesecake. ‘Suddenly, one of the hosts tried to raise the mood by throwing in a light-hearted joke. “It’s sad that Woolworth’s is closing. Where will all the chavs buy their Christmas presents?”’

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