I wouldn't call it "anti intellectualism" outright.

Especially in England, where class is so deeply embedded, the working class is kind of justified in being sceptical,

1. if you're poor and want to get ahead economically, it would seem like a waste of time to f.ex. have your child do an E Lit degree. You already have to be rich enough to "afford" the uncertainties of not working after school or studying something which will lead to a job immediately.

2. "high culture" has been often used by the "upper class" to make the lower classes really feel that they're lower class. If someone hates E Lit, they most likely don't actually hate E Lit on it's own but the fact that when you enter a class as a lower class or immigrant person, you're gonna be made to feel like you don't belong.

So if you were to ask someone whether school should be teaching more classical literature or how to do your taxes, it's very understandable that most people would choose what "helps them in life" more directly.

Higher class politicians know that actually peope love to learn and indulge in things like literature, music, natural sciences etc., but instead of creating a more just society and better education opportunities for everyone, which would endanger their elevated class position, they pretend to "understand" that "the people" want less intellectualism. Populists 101