Be the change you wish to see in the world.

18 year old Sanya-Jeet Thandi is already heeding this advice, both in her work internationally and inside the UK. The young UKIP member firstly took action to change life in India by establishing her own charity, named “Nayaraasta”, aimed at supporting street projects and improving the lives of underprivileged children. After having witnessed firsthand the ‘abject poverty’ of these children’s living conditions, Sanya decided that “the only way lasting change can be achieved is by standing up for one's beliefs and being counted”.

And it is this same philosophy that convinced Sanya to join UKIP and stand as a candidate for the party in the local elections this May. “As a young person of today I feel that it is up to people like me to ensure the future of our country” she says, noting that UKIP’s support for independence and national sovereignty entirely mirrors her's. Along with the speeches of charismatic leader Nigel Farage, the Politics A-level student also cites UKIP’s three essential freedoms of “Action, Resources and People” as her main inspirations for representing the party.

“I’m delighted that Sanya is standing for a council seat in the upcoming elections and I am sure that such a bright young woman would make a great UKIP councillor” said YI Elections Co-Ordinator and local councillor Chris Cassidy.

“Like many young people, Sanya has rejected the old, traditional parties and is now viewing UKIP as the only route to a brighter future in British politics” added YI Chairman Harry Aldridge. “Our support for independence in all asepcts of life, along with our pro-student policies on Grammar Schools and Tuition Fees, are beginning to resonate with the youth of Britain and it is about time too".