Winning over young voters was never going to be an easy job for Ukip. Last May, the National Union of Students (NUS), passed policy to oppose the party on the grounds of its immigration policy. A survey conducted soon after by Youthsight showed that 80% of students thought Ukip was racist – and put student support for the party at just 3%.



But over the last few years, the Ukip youth wing has been quietly building its membership – which now stands at over 3,000. And last week a Guardian poll found that young support for the party has doubled in the space of a year.

The trend transfers to campus voters: a recent poll by Student Money Saver put support for the party at 8.1% – over double the backing it received at the last election.



Being purple at university has its challenges, however. Recently, Ukip-supporting students in Nottingham have complained of prejudice from their fellow students, who, they say, often assume Ukip supporters are racist or homophobic. They were even banned from starting a Ukip society after other students voted against it – though the decision was eventually reversed.

So what’s the appeal of Britain’s newest major party to students? We spoke to first-time Ukip voters to find out.

‘Nigel Farage bought me a pint’

Michael Hollins

Michael Hollins, 21, PPE student at the University of York

Ukip supporter since? I’ve always been interested in politics. I was born in 1993 so only ever knew Blair and Brown as PM. In 2012, I became a Ukip member.

What attracted you? Nigel Farage once visited my school to do a talk in 2010 and I’d seen him on Question Time. He later came to Broxbourne in Hertfordshire and I decided to go along to try to meet him. His charisma and enthusiasm is infectious – and he even bought me a pint. He was willing to speak to anyone and everyone.



Any key policies? The reintroduction of grammar schools. I want people from all backgrounds to have access to great education, which is aided by stratification.



How do your friends respond? Anyone political at my age is strange in their own right – so few of my generation care about politics. Being in Ukip I am particularly strange, in their eyes. Thankfully, my friends accept me for who I am – both my best friends on my course are Czech and love the EU. Among student press and student union officials, Ukip are thought to be racist, intolerant and bigoted. I declare my political colours proudly, but a lot of students are very shy about it – they think that they’ll lose friends.



‘It’s easier for me to be openly bisexual than it is to support Ukip at uni’

Andrew Wilmot

Andrew Wilmot, 20, 2nd-year software engineering student at Aberystwyth University

Ukip supporter since? I’ve always had a soft spot for them. It was after I got to university that I started to identify with them more – it was the first time I had truly been immersed in politics.

Any key policies? The typical issues of Europe, immigration, and foreign aid do rank highly, but it’s their policies on grammar schools, referendums and MP recall I particularly like.



How do your friends respond? I have a few Ukip-supporting friends, but generally they’re either indifferent, or teasing. I actually hit it off with my girlfriend when she mentioned her support for Ukip. My best mate just teases me about our portrayal in the media – he’s Polish, and mockingly says I’ll send him back. I’ve had a lot of hatred from people I don’t/barely know. I’d say that at uni, it’s easier for me to be openly bisexual than it is to support Ukip openly. I think that’s both a success on the university’s part in being a safe space for LGBT students, and an indictment of the media’s demonisation of Ukip.



‘People have deleted me off Facebook for posting about Ukip’



Jack Ransom

Jack Ransom, 20, history student at Canterbury Christ Church University



Ukip supporter since? Two years ago, I think.



What attracted you? Students are generally seen as being on the left, in terms of traditional campus politics. But the left doesn’t make much sense to me. Watching Ukip MPs on Question Time, for example, they are the only ones who answer questions. They make the most sense.

Any key policies? Obviously immigration is the main one. Proper border controls are important.

How do your friends respond? Not well, to be honest. I’ve had people delete me off Facebook before when I have made pro-Ukip posts. I don’t let it bother me, though.

‘The majority of my friends that follow politics support Ukip’



Alex Brammer

Alex Brammer, 18, studying at Downham Market academy sixth-form, Norfolk

Ukip supporter since? I first started to identify myself with Ukip in late 2013, and joined in January 2014 – shortly before my 17th birthday.

What attracted you? Following the party’s social media and watching clips of senior party figures discussing party policy. The more I followed the party, the more I associated with it.

Any key policies? The UK’s withdrawal from the European Union via a referendum, as well as the policy of an Australian-style points based immigration system.



How do your friends respond? My sixth form peers are split on their political leanings, as several people are Green party supporters and some have no specific allegiance to a particular party. There is a mixed opinion of my membership of Ukip. My friends generally do not have an opinion as they do not follow politics, however the significant majority of my friends that do follow politics actually support the party.

‘My friends have been supportive of my membership’

Dave Poole

Dave Poole, 18, politics undergraduate at the University of Nottingham



Ukip supporter since? I started supporting the party in Autumn 2012, aged 16, and became a member in December of that year.

What attracted you? Their opposition to the EU and their support of direct democracy – increased usage of referendums and effective recall.



Any key policies? In addition to the policies on the EU and democracy, I am particularly interested in their stance on education. I am a big advocate of the party’s grammar school policy which would help social mobility. Ukip’s tuition fees policy is also admirable – they propose abolishing fees for Stem and medicine degrees – the areas in which the UK is in most desperate need of graduates.

How do your friends respond? My friends have been supportive of my membership of Ukip. Although some of them may not agree with Ukip’s policies, I have never actually lost friends or been treated any differently because of it.

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