UCL Conservative Society

University College London Conservative Society
Founded 1908
Location University College London Union, 25 Gordon Street, WC1H OAY
Senior Association Officers
Honorary President Rt Hon Nicholas Soames MP
Life Patrons Rt Hon Baroness Thatcher,

John Whittingdale OBE MP

Junior Society Officers, 2011-2012
President Samuel Firth
Deputy Marta Krokosz
Treasurer Matthew Gibbard
Secretary Matthew Corner
Website www.uclconservatives.co.uk

University College London Conservative Society is a student political organisation established in 1908, based at University College London. It is the oldest student Conservative association in England, and most probably the oldest Conservative student society in the United Kingdom.

It is an affiliate branch of Conservative Future, the Conservative Party's youth-wing. The Society President sits on the local Holborn & St Pancras Conservative Association executive.

Past Alumni and Society Presidents include at least 6 current MPs and 1 MEP. They include current Minister for Wales David Jones MP and House of Commons' Culture, Media and Sport Committee Chair John Whittingdale OBE MP, alongside former Secretary of State for Employment Lord Young.

Since the early 1980s, Rt Hon Lady Thatcher has been an honorary life patron of the Society. Former Shadow Defence Secretary and Armed Forces Minister Rt Hon Nicholas Soames MP was the last appointed honorary Chair, having served for term of five years from 2005 to 2010.

Contents

Association constitution

The Society's constitution of 1910 notes that the association is set out to: "promote political discussion amongst students, to teach students about the the UK’s political system, to provide the opportunity for students to learn about Conservative politics and meet others of a similar political persuasion in a friendly and approachable atmosphere".

The official constitutional title of the Society is University College London Union (UCLU) Conservative Society.

UCLU requires all affiliated societies to have a committee made of a President and a Treasurer, and does not recognise any further committee members. Each year, at its Annual General Meeting, the society votes to agree with or amend its constitution and committee positions.

An updated Society premise was set out in late 2011: "Having been established for one hundred years as the home of free debate and Conservative politics on campus we are now moving into a more outward looking phase. Representing progressive views on campus and providing a forum for the further understanding of policy and ideology is pivotal. With our party in Coalition Government since 1945, it is especially important that there is a place at UCL for students to learn about the detail and reasoning behind current debates, policies and issues that concern us as political animals. We are a broad party with many different strands, and UCL Conservatives is the great place for students to live their politics to the full."

Campaigning and events

Social action

The Society holds numerous events of this sort throughout the year, whereby volunteers work and help out with local projects around London in an attempt to promote David Cameron's idea of working as a 'Big Society'. A dedicated Volunteering and Outreach Officer is elected annually to research and organise such trips. Recent projects have included clothes swap, charity stalls, nature reserve conservation and helping to organize events for the elderly. From their own website, UCL Conservatives claim that they "are leading the way with modern, compassionate Conservatism."

Guest speakers

The Society also places a large emphasis on bringing in high-profile individuals, from politicians and journalists, to think-tank officials and academics. Over the last few years, visitors and speaker events have included David Trimble (2004), Ann Widdecombe (2004), Dr David Starkey (2005, 2009), Boris Johnson (2006), Oliver Letwin (2007), Liam Fox (2007), Sir John Major (2007), Michael Howard (2008), Daniel Hannan (2008), Andrew Mitchell (2008), David Willetts (2009), Jeremy Hunt (2009), Eric Pickles (2009), Geoffrey Howe (2011), Greg Barker (2011), Zac Goldsmith (2011) and John Redwood (2011). The President is responsible for inviting guests and speakers, as well as organising the year's events.

Port and Policy

The Society's most regularly hosts debates and 'Port and Policy' events, started in 2002. During one term, the Society normally hosts two or three times at their Tuesday evening events. Society members, alumni and guests come and debate certain topical issues and debates. This normally takes the form of traditional parliamentary or mace debating, whereby two teams speak ‘for’ and ‘against’ the House's motion. The floor is then opened to the audience for speeches and questions to the participating speakers.

Recent debates have included issues and discussions on the topic of whether anti-discrimination laws have gone too far, the belief that taxation is theft, as well as whether the House would spread democracy by force.

The Caerulean

The Caerulean (Latin for "a range of colors from deep blue... through [to] greenish blue") is the society's monthly publication. It is circulated both online via the society website and in paper format at each of the society events.

Alumni

The Society has been part of the University College London Union for the majority of its lifetime since inception over a century ago. Historically, relations with central party have been strong. It remains an officially affiliated branch of Conservative Future.

UCL members and alumni

Past Presidents

Tenure Name
2011-2012 Sam Firth (incumbent)
2010-2011 William Hall
2009-2010 Kieran Weisberg
2008-2009 Eamonn Hurley-Flynn
2007-2008 Starbuck Coleman
2006-2007 Richard Jackson
2005-2006 'Jim' Hunkin
2004-2005 Timothy Crockford
2003-2004 Alan Ross
1982-2003 Unknown
1981-1982 John Whittingdale

References

See also

External links