I t has been said that UKIP is an old peoples party and it is true that a high percentage of the membership is over 50. So why are we not engaging with the teenager?
Many may say that the youth have given up on the UK; some say the youth don’t know how to fight with the pen; it’s even been said that the pressure of today are so great young society are just too busy to be involved. Then there are the material distractions children come home from school switch on their MSN and chat for hours and then squeeze in a little late homework before bed. Then there is PS 1; 2; 3; Game Boys; PSPS; Nintendo WII; X Box 360 and computer games. If you distract the youth with mindless destructive games they will close their eyes to the world around them unaware of the abuse of power by corporate bodies and politicians. Girls may say “we don’t get distracted by all the games”, nearly true there is Bebo; U Tube and MSN. Shallow society has made beauty and desire for fame the distraction for girls. How many girls ever talk about making life better for others or the lovely woods around Kent what about the wonderful meadows birds; mammals and butterflies. My daughter had a birthday party and one young girl when looking at the pond didn’t know what a newt was but at 13 looking nearly 16 her make up was spot on. As our youth become adult they think alcohol is what life is about. People praise the drunk for their loutish behaviour the conversation is football beer and women for men and who knows what you ladies talk about.
So how does politics compete? How do we engage people with life outside of entertainment? Why should they? Selfish life is good and we are all powerless to change. Westwood housing estate not wanted by the people of Thanet but we are having it anyway because big brother says so.

So in summary if the youth want to debate issue or fight injustice leave us a comment or email Trevor Cooper, address, ukipthanet@tiscali.co.uk and to the older generation I say listen to the youth let them grow into the people they want to be and help them become the good people of tomorrow, share with them your experiences but don’t over burden them with expectation. Lets make Engaging the Youth the next UKIP debate in Thanet.

By

Trevor Cooper
UKIP Cliftonville
ukipthanet@tiscali.co.uk