Young Independence

Young Independence is the national youth and student wing of the UK Independence Party (UKIP).
Young Independence was officially launched on 1 August 2007, after several previous unofficial youth organisations had failed to grab the attention of the main party and its younger members. However, after work by the new Executive Committee, a youth organisation was adopted by the main party and launched under the name Young Independence with the launch overseen by NEC member Delroy Young.
History
Young Independence was the brain-child of several members of UKIP who felt that the lack of young people's representation in the party was unfair and undemocratic. After an online meeting and several discussions, it was agreed that a proposal be submitted to the main party's National Executive Committee for consideration. The NEC approved the proposal and on 1 August 2007, Young Independence was launched.
Before the launch of Young Independence there were several youth organisations unofficially representing the young members of the UK Independence Party. One was UKIP Youth, the other was named 'Youthkip'; Youthkip was founded by Alex McKee and Jan Guest, young members of UKIP. It was founded at the second meeting of the Lechlade Group, a UKIP Think-tank. It addressed the UKIP Conference in October 2005 with principal youth speaker Matthew Faithful getting a standing ovation. UKIP Youth was managed by Katy Davies, assistant to Nigel Farage MEP. This organisation faltered after Davies went to live in the United States.
Previous leaders of UKIP Youth Movement have been Mark Lester and Nikki Sinclaire who chaired 'YUK!'. There has never been a successful large scale Youth wing in UKIP. This is partially due to the low number of younger members.
Lisa Duffy was named as the National Co-ordinator for Young Independence after the NEC meeting in January 2008.
In February 2009, former Young Independence Chairman Wayne Harling was successfully elected the UKIP National Executive Committee coming third on the ballot.
In April 2009, Young Independence held its first internal elections that saw a shake-up of the YI Committee including Michael Heaver becoming the new Chairman, beating sitting Chairman Wayne Harling and John Tennant in a three-way contest.
Executive Committee
Young Independence has an Executive Committee of six members who look after the day to day running of the organisation. They deal with issues regarding elections, equal and fair representation, funding and all other issues which arise from the party.
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