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University of Warwick Conservative Association

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University of Warwick Conservative Association
AbbreviationUWCA
Formation1965
TypeUniversity political society
Location
  • University of Warwick
WebsiteOfficial website

The University of Warwick Conservative Association, is a student conservative association founded in 1965 at the University of Warwick. It is affiliated with Warwick Students' Union.

History[edit]

As one of the associations most famous alumni, David Davis was the honorary chairman of the association. However, it was accidently let slip on BBC Radio 5 Live by the then-internal affairs secretary that due to his uncooperative nature, Davis was to have the position removed by the association. It was recognised that since David was Brexit Secretary at the time, he did have other prioritise, but it was felt that this did not excuse the lack of communication on Davis part.[1] In response, the association reported that is was considering changing who held the role.[2]

In May 2022, the association invited the then-Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi to address them. Attempts to deplatform him for transphobia failed, protesters instead picketed the hall where the talk occurred. They rushed Zahawi after the talk, in the ensuing scuffle striking the events secretary. The campus safety team had to escort Zahawi to ensure no harm came to him.[3]

In October 2022, concerns were raised by the Warwick Northern Society over an advertised 'Dress like a leftie' event. It was suggested that inspiration could have been taken from Warwick Labour Society, which had previously run “dress like a Tory” social events.[4]

In June 2024, concerns were raised when footage from their annual Chairman's Dinner in May was reported by The Sunday Times. Following the meal, a member asked the DJ to play Erika (song)"Erika", which some of the members laughed at. Reflecting the Nazi theme, one member was reported to declare "Hail the chairman". The association condemned the behaviour and apologised for any offence it caused. It defended its members actions, claiming that they were not aware of the connotations of the song, but said that the member who requested the song would no longer be welcome to attend any of their events.[5] The university reported that the footage was "reprehensible", and it was reviewing it with the Jewish Society.[6] The Union of Jewish Students called the clip “utterly abhorrent” and claimed it showed “blatant and unchallenged support for nazism”.[7] The association defended itself by highlighting that it acted quickly on the night, which the short clip released does not show, with a member of the executive committee rushing to the DJ to have him stop playing the song.[7] The association also has said that the person seen actively singing along was not even a member of the association, but they would still be banned from attending events.[8]

In response, the student union suspended the association for an externally led investigation to take place.[9]

Organisation[edit]

Notable alumni[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Buchan, Lizzy; Cowburn, Ashley (13 December 2017). "Warwick University Conservative Association reveal they are sacking David Davis as chairman on live radio". The Independent. Retrieved 1 July 2024.
  2. ^ Clark, Cameron (13 December 2017). "Warwick Conservatives suggest plan to sack David Davis as Chairman". The Boar. Retrieved 1 July 2024.
  3. ^ Somerville, Ewan (30 May 2022). "Watch: Trans activists hound Nadhim Zahawi off university campus". The Telegraph. Retrieved 1 July 2024.
  4. ^ Morley, Ben (18 October 2022). "The Boar". The Boar. Retrieved 1 July 2024.
  5. ^ Pogrund, Gabriel (30 June 2024). "Tory student group apologises after members 'danced to Nazi song'". The Sunday Times. p. 2.
  6. ^ Price, Richard (30 June 2024). "Students' Nazi song video branded reprehensible". BBC News. Retrieved 1 July 2024.
  7. ^ a b Cooney, Christy (30 June 2024). "Tory student group condemned after video shows them 'singing to Nazi song'". The Guardian. Retrieved 1 July 2024.
  8. ^ Brown, Faye (30 June 2024). "Warwick: Tory student group apologises over video 'showing members singing and dancing to Nazi song'". Sky News. Retrieved 1 July 2024.
  9. ^ Ryan, Thomas (1 July 2024). "BREAKING: University suspends Warwick Conservatives as backlash over 'Nazi dance video' grows". The Boar. Retrieved 1 July 2024.

External links[edit]

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