UKIP are coming to a university near you

With less than 50 days until the General Election the party on everybody’s lips is UKIP. Infamous for their controversial immigration policies and unruly party members, they are setting up societies on campuses across UK universities.

We caught up with president of the Exeter UKIP society – Thomas Collins a Politics and Economics first year from Surrey. He’s so Exetah it hurts.

Thomas could be the poster boy for the Home Counties

Thomas’ garb was the epitome of right wing politics: dressed in mint chinos with a cranberry jumper.

“I got involved in politics when I was 15, and became a Tory youth member,” he tells us.

“I switched to UKIP in September last year after I had become disillusioned with the disparity between what politicians say and what they do.

“I see UKIP as an extra option, outside of the Big Three, giving voters more choice – in a time of voter apathy that’s important.“

UKIP’s planned education reforms include increasing tuition fees for EU students (potentially ending Erasmus links), placing natural sciences, maths, and engineering on a pedestal – increasing the nerd population of the uni by 33% and giving less opportunity for hipsters to doss about doing liberal protests.

So why should students join Thomas?

“It is a really exciting time for politics and there is a lot of opportunity for individuals to make a difference, meet with officials, and socialise with other like-minded people.

“Luckily Exeter is a diverse university, with lots of international students. If the increase in fees for EU students happens, it should be up to the university to subsidise the fees for EU candidates.

“Also, in the long term UKIP want education to be free for all, but emphasis should be placed on the skill void by prioritising students studying sciences and maths.”

Thomas hasn’t met Nigel Farage, but after seeing him get pissed with Steph and Dom, we assume UKIP socials are going to off the chain. What would go down at a social?

“It could be anything from going to a pub, to hearing a speaker, to going campaigning, or engaging in debates with other societies.” (Fem soc don’t need to get their knickers in a twist just yet, they’ve only got five members).

UKIP lads

The society is new to Exeter, and Thomas says they haven’t had too much trouble with haters.

“Surprisingly there has been a lot of interest in the party, and I am interested in altering people’s perceptions of the party. I see UKIP as a slow burner, gaining traction over the years.

Unlucky for some

With Floella is stepping down as chancellor, we asked Thomas who he thinks should be her successor.

“I don’t know, I’ve never met Floella,” he says.

Maybe now Jeremy Clarkson is signing on, he should apply for the job? What do you think of this week’s “scandal”?

“If you assault someone, of course you should be fired – especially in the public eye. Lots of people like Top Gear, perhaps it will go on Netflix instead.”

If you’re hoping to see Thomas out throwing shapes in Arena, prepare to be disappointed.

“Sadly I do not enjoy clubbing, however I love a good pint,” he confesses. I also love the Impy, or anywhere cheap.

“I don’t go for post lash food, although I actually went to a Chinese last night. I also like curry, I cook a lot of curries at home: I really embrace international food – I love it.

“I accept we are not going to have the biggest society on campus, but we offer an opportunity to hear a different view. Come along to meet the society during Freshers’ Week and find out more.”

We were expecting to meet a mini-Farage, and were pleasantly surprised to meet a fresh with great chat. If more UKIPpers were like Thomas, perhaps they wouldn’t get such a bad press.