Divide and Conquer is an Old Idea

‘Divide and conquer’ is an old idea.

But it still works.

In many parts of the world right now - including my own country - groups of people are turning against other groups of people.

Me v You.

Us v Them.

In some ways, this is understandable. Things feel tough right now, and people are looking for explanations - a place to direct their anger and frustration. And things feel tough because they are tough - one aspect of this is how wages have shrunk for most people:

1985

• Average weekly wage in the UK was £160 - or £803 in 2025 money.
• For the top 1% it was £1077 - which would be equivalent to £5404 in 2025.

2025

• Average weekly wage in the UK is only £607.
• For the top 1%, it’s £7154 a week.

The average worker in the UK today is about £200 a week worse off compared to 40 years ago.

The top 1% are £1750 a week better off.

The reason 31% of children in the UK are growing up in poverty is not because of people in small boats. It’s because there has been a decades-long shift in wealth.

This rise in inequality is a result of multiple policy decisions, from multiple different governments.

And those decisions are heavily influenced by business. In most situations, using money to get what you want is called bribery - but in politics, it’s called lobbying, and it’s perfectly legal.

If things are tough for you right now, don’t look at other people.

Look at where the power is.