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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

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

In May 2022, the association invited the then-Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi to address them. This invitation proved to be controversial as other students had taken offence to earlier comments by Zahawi that were seen as transphobic. Protesters initially attempted to deplatform Zahawi and prevent the speech from happening, when these efforts failed protesters 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. The association defended the event claiming that inspiration was taken from Warwick Labour Society, which had previously ran “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, it is reported that a member asked the DJ to play "Erika", which other guests can be seen dancing to in the footage. The association condemned the behaviour and apologised for any offence it had caused. The association defended its members’ actions, claiming that they were not aware of the connotations of the song and 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

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Notable alumni

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References

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  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.
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