Fresh thinking at the Freshers' Fair

This week, Waverley Liberal Democrats were delighted to attend the University for the Creative Arts Freshers’ Fair in Farnham. It was a fantastic opportunity to meet new students, share ideas, and hear directly from young people about the issues that matter most to them as they start their university journey.

We were proud to be the only political party present — and the warm welcome we received was inspiring. Over the course of the day, we spoke to hundreds of students, many of them local voters, who were keen to understand more about the local political landscape and the role they can play in shaping it.

Most importantly, we listened. Students told us that affordable housing is one of their biggest concerns, along with the devastating atrocities in Gaza, which they raised with urgency and compassion. To explain the graphic below, while immigration was also mentioned, the overwhelming focus was on the negativity faced by immigrants and the lack of understanding of the broader picture.

This was the first time we have done this sort of activity as a way of engaging directly with young people, following on from the successful event we hosted with The Guardian earlier this year. It marks another important step in our commitment to listening, learning, and giving younger voices a real platform in local politics.

It was energising to meet so many liberal-minded students, and we were delighted to connect with new volunteers and potential supporters who share our values.

All in all, it was a truly great day — full of constructive conversations, optimism, and a strong sense of community. We look forward to building on these conversations and continuing to give young people in Waverley a voice in local politics.