“One rule for MPs, one rule for ordinary people”: using discursive psychology to explore how class-based assumptions of “ordinariness” and “exceptionalism” are negotiated in political entertainment shows

Britain is currently experiencing one of the highest levels of income inequality in Europe, exacerbated by the current cost of living crisis. To date an estimated 14.4 million people live in poverty, similar to pre-pandemic levels, with moral panics about who should and should not be using public money increasing. At the same time, the richest people in Britain exploit unethical financial loopholes, with little consequence. By returning to a case study of the 2009 UK Parliamentary Expenses Scandal, this paper shows how politicians use class-based ways of speaking to sidestep financial and moral transgressions. Discursive social psychology was used to analyse five hours of Question Time and shows how two categories of ordinariness and exceptionalism were used. These categories contain ideological assumptions of who can, and cannot, use taxpayers’ money, as category constructions are embedded with notions of status, deservingness and disposition. These categories were dynamically used, demonstrating the importance of understanding the social context in which class-based discussions occur within. Ultimately, this paper shows how our everyday talk around money can challenge, uphold or perpetuate social class inequality.