University of York Conservative and Unionist Association

The University of York Conservative and Unionist Association, known more commonly as the York Tories, is a student conservative association founded in 1963 and based at the University of York. While it is independent from the national Conservative Party, it is affiliated and does share some events. It is affiliated with the University of York Students' Union.

University of York Conservative and Unionist Association
AbbreviationUYCUA
NicknameYork Tories
Formation1963
TypeUniversity political society
HeadquartersDerwent College
Location
  • University of York
Chairman
Oliver Peter Smith, Halifax College
Secretary
Amy Wydenbach, James College
Treasurer
Henry Smith, Constantine College
Vice-Chairman
James Clay, Vanbrugh College
WebsiteYork Tories

Events

The focus of the association is hosting a variety of events, some of a political nature, for members to attend, with events being held on the Wednesday and Friday during the term. Traditionally formal events have not been held during the exam period of the summer term, but more relaxed events have been held anyway.

The Wednesday events are the social events, and tend to be pub crawls, chase pub crawls, as well as the termly Port & Policy and Pint & Policy. The Friday events tend to be calmer, and sometimes intellectual. These events can be movie nights, debates, quizzes, board games, speakers, and dinners. Sometimes these events end at the curry house 'The Garden of India', which has a good relationship with the association.[1]

Port & Policy is the most popular of the associations events. Unlike some conservative associations who charge for attendance, membership of the association merits free port. Recordings of any variety is strictly forbidden, which allows serious debate to occur without fear of retribution. Motions are collected by the secretary, then proposed and considered throughout the evening, and then individually voted on. Member vote for, against, or abstain. The evening concludes with all motions that passed being repeated to the members, which are then voted on to decide which is the most popular.

A black tie dinner is held during every term, although the Christmas Ball is the highlight of the calendar as it seems the handover of responsibility from one committee to the next.[2] The chairman-elect takes an oath on behalf of the committee, upon the completion of which all officers-elect are considered to have assumed their responsible offices:

“I, [chairman-elect's name], swear (by Almighty God) that I shall faithfully execute the office of Chairman, shall protect the liberties and defend the traditions of the York Tories, and shall bear true allegiance to His Majesty the King, and his heirs and successors according to law (so help me God).”

The association has a close relationship with northern university conservative associations, namely the Durham University Conservative and Unionist Association, the Newcastle Conservative Society, and Northumbria University Conservative Society. This is epitomised in the annual Primrose Dinner, hosted by the Newcastle Conservative Society in The Northern Counties Private Members Club.

History

In 1996 the website of the association was hacked to include explicit images and fictional accounts of meetings, as well as verbally attacking the Conservative Party. The Conservative Central Party launched an investigation to establish how these changes occurred.[3]

In 2017, controversy arose when the association attempted to invite the Conservative MP Philip Davies to give a talk. Opposition centred around past statements of his being labelled as 'misogynistic'. In response to backlash on social media, the association stated 'We are pleased to further the cause of two of the cornerstones of our nation: freedom of speech and freedom of expression.'[4] Some students reported that they would take the opportunity provided by this event to challenge Davies on his views.[5]

Robert Ward, the chairman in 2018, signed a letter in The Daily Telegraph to the then prime minister, Theresa May, calling on her to stop pursuing the Chequers Plan.[6]

Organisation

The association is led by the committee, elected by an AGM at the end of the Winter Term. It manages all of the business and events, and broadly represents the association. The positions on the committee and their office-holders can be changed by constitutional amendments at EGMs. All committee members are required to be members of the association.

The association also elects an Honorary President and Honorary Members for life at its AGM. The current Honorary President is Charles III. By convention, all former chairman automatically become Honorary Member for life.

Traditions
  • The Hagueathon was founded by the association following a claim made by William Hague in 2000 that, as a teenager, he regularly consumed 14 pints of alcohol a night.[7] York Tories attempt to honour his supposed achievement by consuming 14 pints within 12 hours, then sing the National Anthem from Clifford's Tower before midnight in order to complete the challenge.[8] The Spectator reported that Hague has been given a certificate, recognising that he is the first Hagueathon winner.[9]
  • The Fox Hunt pub crawl is held annually, roughly replicating a fox hunt. One team, the foxes, are pursued by the hunters along a set route of pubs. The foxes are played by committee members, while non-committee are the hunters.[10]

Notable alumni

See also

References
  1. "Events". The York Tories. Retrieved 1 July 2023.
  2. University of York Conservative and Unionist Association Officer Guide - Events - pages 7-8
  3. "Hacker adds porn and mockery to Major's Internet message". The Times. 19 August 1996. p. 2.
  4. Woolfe, Sam (8 September 2017). "Students are outraged at a 'misogynistic' MP being invited to speak at their university". The Canary. Archived from the original on 22 May 2023. Retrieved 22 May 2023.
  5. Harvey, Jack (6 September 2017). "York Tories under fire for inviting "the most misogynistic MP" to campus". The Yorker. Archived from the original on 1 July 2022. Retrieved 22 May 2023.
  6. "Letters: Sticking with the Chequers plan would be a betrayal of the Brexit vote". The Daily Telegraph. 30 September 2018. Retrieved 22 May 2023.
  7. "Tory 'Hagueathon' drinking event in York branded 'irresponsible'". York Press. 3 May 2014. Archived from the original on 22 May 2023. Retrieved 22 May 2023.
  8. "Young Tories' silence over controversial Hagueathon drinking event". The Northern Echo. 5 May 2014. Archived from the original on 22 May 2023. Retrieved 22 May 2023.
  9. Steerpike (5 March 2013). "William Hague's beery legacy". The Spectator. Archived from the original on 22 May 2023. Retrieved 22 May 2023.
  10. Macdonald, Caitlin (22 January 2020). "York Tories 'fox hunting' social to go ahead despite Tory Party condemnation". The Tab. Retrieved 22 May 2023.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.