A new summer school designed to inspire East Thanet’s next generation of political leaders is set to launch this summer, led by Polly. The school will offer young people the chance to build real-world campaign skills, meet experienced political figures, and gain a deeper understanding of British and Thanet politics.
The summer school will be taking place this summer and will bring together ambitious young people aged 18 to 24 from across Polly Billington MP’s constituency for an intensive and engaging programme focused on activism, communication, policy, and public leadership.
The programme will run from Monday 20 July to Thursday 23 July in East Thanet.
Participants will take part in hands-on workshops covering everything from election strategy and public speaking to campaigning, and grassroots organising. The programme will also include networking opportunities, and guest talks from politicians, campaign professionals, and policy experts.
The aim of the summer school is to make politics more accessible, and to empower young people to have a meaningful voice in public life.
Polly Billington MP said:
“At a time of rising division and stronger opinions, many young people are determined to stand up for what they believe in. Harnessing that energy to learn the skills to shape the world to be a better place is the purpose of this summer school. We need more people from ordinary backgrounds to be part of public life, and this programme will offer the chance for a new generation of young Thanet residents to see how they can be part of it.
“That’s why I’m launching my summer school in East Thanet, so I can help give young people the confidence, skills, and connections to get involved — whether that’s running campaigns, influencing policy, or demonstrating local leadership.”
The initiative comes at a time of growing political engagement among younger generations, with increasing interest in issues such as housing, climate change, education, and economic opportunity.
Attendees will leave with practical experience in campaign planning, message development, community building, and political strategy, as well as a stronger understanding of how British political institutions and elections work.