Thread by @MadeleinaKay

1/ I've just spent today catching up with an old school friend I haven't seen since last Christmas. She is in her final year studying medicine at uni - she's a smart girl. Yet, she told me that she is bored to tears by Brexit and she's sick of hearing about it on the news.

2/ She said she's stopped listening to Radio 4 because all she ever hears about the #IrishBackstop. She admitted she didn't know what it is, but is sick of hearing every man & his dog interviewed for their opinion. She prefers listening to "calming music" on radio 3 instead

3/ classic example of media boring people to death with politico's opinions rather than providing simple, factual information.

4/ I was talking to her about the EU parliamentary elections in May & explaining how I want to campaign to increase voter turnout. She said she probably wouldn't vote and if she did, she didn't who she would vote for because she doesn't even know what MEPs even do.

5/ I still think the lack of engagement in politics & the apathy (particularly but not exclusively of the youth) of today is due to a lack of understanding which goes back to poor education in our schools and the news broadcasters failing to provide engaging & informative content

6/ she told me she had a "revelation" the other day when turning off the news because she was sick of hearing about #Brexit: "That had we voted #Remain in 2016 we wouldn't still have to be listening to all this rubbish & if #Brexit isn't stopped it's going to keep going on & on"

7/ I keep saying this: We Tweeters may follow the minutae of updates in #Brexit with eager excitement but most people are bored stiff & sick of it. Even Remainers. We need to use alternative methods to change the dialogue, engage the apathetic & activate their support.

8/ For the record, my friend doesn't use social media
& is distressed that she can't delete her Facebook footprint in its entirety. A lot of young people are not on Twitter/Facebook & can't be accessed through these platforms. Reform needs to happen in mainstream media.

9/ It was lovely to catch up with her and it provided quite an insight into the mentality of my peers. I don't think she is alone in her opinions.

We also exchanged #Christmas gifts... I gave her a microwavable peacock wearing ballet shoes & she gave me an Aubergine 🍆
😂🎁👍