University of Aberdeen Conservative and Unionist Association
The Aberdeen University Conservative and Unionist Association (AUCUA) is a student Conservative association formed in 1881. It is the third oldest Conservative student association in the United Kingdom. AUCUA is the largest political association on the University of Aberdeen's campus.[1]
| Abbreviation | AUCUA |
|---|---|
| Formation | 1881 |
| Type | Political Association |
| Location | |
Chairman | Henry Carre |
Honorary President | Andrew Bowie MP |
Main organ | Executive Committee |
| Affiliations | Conservative Future Scotland |
| Website | https://www.ausa.org.uk/societies/society/aucua |
It consists of an executive committee that consists of six positions where members are elected annually at the association's AGM. It is directly affiliated to the Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party and the Aberdeen University Students' Association.
Notable former members
- Lord Blencathra - Member of the House of Lords, former Member of Parliament for the Penrith constituency, Minister of State for Home Affairs, Minister of State for the Environment and Countryside and Chief Whip of the Conservative Party.
- James Cran - Former Member of Parliament for Beverley and Shadow Deputy Leader of the House.
- Murdo Fraser MSP – Member of the Scottish Parliament for Mid Scotland and Fife and Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Covid Recovery
- Dr Nanette Milne - Former Member of the Scottish Parliament for North East Scotland.
- Dr David Torrance – Author, contemporary historian, freelance political journalist.
- Derek Brownlee - Former MSP for South of Scotland (Scottish Parliament electoral region) and member of the Advisory Board of Reform Scotland.
- Dr Eamonn Butler - Co-founder of the Adam Smith Institute.
- Andrew Bowie MP - Member of Parliament for West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine and former Deputy Chair of the Conservative Party
- Finlay Carson MSP- Member of the Scottish Parliament for Galloway and West Dumfries and Convener of the Rural Affairs, Islands and Natural Environment Committee.
- Ross Thomson - Former Member of Parliament for Aberdeen South and former Member of the Scottish Parliament for North East Scotland.
- Paul Wheelhouse - Former Scottish National Party Member of the Scottish Parliament for South Scotland and Scottish Government Minister for Energy, Connectivity and the Islands.
Current Committee
Below are the members of the 143rd committee...
- Chairman - Henry Carre
- Deputy Chairman - Cameron McPhail
- Chancellor - John Guyan
- Secretary - Daisy MacGregor
- Social & Welfare Officer - Abigail Brooks
- Party Relations Officer - Abigail Brooks
Chairman
- 2024/Present - Henry Carre
- 2023/24 - Haytham Alrifai
- 2022/23 - Marco Oosthuizen/Eitan Godsi
- 2021/22 - Nestor Carlsen-Devereux
- 2020/21 - Rami Jerrow
- 2019/20 - Joshua Mills
- 2018/19 - Gavin MacKenzie
- 2017/18 - Emma Farquhar
- 2016/17 - Emma Farquhar
- 2015/16 - Alexander McNab
- 2014/15 - Nicholas Layden
- 2013/14 - Nicholas Layden
- 2012/13 - Andrew Bowie
- 2011/12 - Declan Pang
- 2010/11 - Duncan Stewart
- 2009/10 - Andrea Sharpe
- 2008/09 - Oliver Lash-Williams
- 2007/08 - Leslie K. Clark
- 2006/07 - Tobias Lebmann
- 2005/06 - Tobias Lehmann
- 2004/05 - Frank Webster
Media
Members of the association have, in recent years, been interviewed by various news outlets such as euronews, Sky News and BBC Newsnight. They also maintain an active relationship with the Aberdeen University Student Newspaper 'The Gaudie' and regularly provide speakers to the Aberdeen Student Radio for discussion and debate.
- Thorne, Robert. "What's life like for the University of Aberdeen's independence society?". No. July 17, 2023. The National. Retrieved 8 June 2024.
Notable Controversies
In November 2023, a hostile takeover of the executive committee occurred after failure to adhere to a contract for a Christmas Dinner sparked outcry within the wider student body. Despite an agreement between the then Chairman and the initial contract provider having been reached, a young member of the executive committee willingly created a second unauthorised contract with another provider, placing the Association into severe debt and requiring a bailout from the Students' Association. The wronged member later admitted that their motivations were purely of personal spite against another member. Since then steps have been taken to ensure only authorised members are allowed into discussions regarding contractual obligations.