Is Ashford Truly the Definition of Middle Class?

Much fun has been had over the definition of "middle class" in recent politics and news.

Ed Milliband provided us with seven different definitions in one recent BBC Radio 4 interview.

But whether you see "middle class" as "the social class between the upper and lower classes" or whether you prefer to enter debate about blue collar versus white collar, The Telegraph has decided that Ashford is the pinnacle of middle class.

Naturally, this is in a negative context.

In Ashford we are being subjected to higher rail fares for 2011, at a shocking 12.8%, which accounts for much of the rise in outgoings for this fictional middle class family.

Therefore, the article cannot be used to generalise the affect on every family of four in the UK living on £50,000 per year.

But, as ever, The Telegraph doesn't let that get in the way of a good headline, as this article demonstrates.

Further to this, the article quite abhorrently mixes theories to scaremonger, citing that the fictional family would see an increase of £562.

Given that house price averages in Kent in 2010 were £226,778 for a semi detached, it is hard to imagine where our fictional middle class family of four would reside for £150,000.

However you look at it, Ashford residents will suffer as the cuts bite next year.