BUCA Blog

Boris Ushers In 2012 Countdown

2008-08-26T14:55:00.003+01:00

Well now that Beijing 2008 is over, we can now look forward to London 2012. London Mayor Boris Johnson was on hand at the closing ceremony to accept the Olympic flag and officially usher in the countdown to 2012 when our capital, if not the whole nation, will be seduced by Olympic fever - to an even greater extent than our 100-year-best medal haul has managed to drum up this time around

However I would like to direct your attention to the press conference Boris entertained just days before the closing ceremony and the sppech he made as part of the official handover.

In the pre-ceremony press conference Boris took a stance that I'm sure we will all agree with - with a budget that has already spiralled, he does not want to waste any more taxayers' money on the London games - when faced with questions about the admittedly dreadful logo (although it does look 100x better in its Union Jack incarnation) and mascots, Boris promised in his typical jovial way that he would rather not waste money redesigning the logo (which "grows on you" according to the man himself) or on an expensive design process for the said "furry creatures".

And I think this ethos was enacted during London's 8 minute slot during the closing ceremony itself - while some observers were less than impressed by the efforts of David Beckham, Leona Lewis and Jimmy Page, i think that the whole theme with the fold-down London bus and the light-up umbrellas was very British, and we should continue in that vain in our preparations for 2012.

To end this entry, however, I cannot help but mention Boris Johnson's comments on China's beloved table-tennis. He recounted the history of the game, tracing it back to the English game of whiff-whaff, which was played on a dining table. Boris noted that while the French looked at a dining table as something to eat off of, the English saw an opportunity to play whiff-whaff.

He also added that 2012 will see "ping-pong coming home. Sport is coming home."

Who said we can't be patriotic anymore?!

Labour Stunned in Glasgow East

2008-07-25T13:12:00.002+01:00

Labour suffered another by-election defeat last night, in what was regarded as a safe Labour seat. Before last night's SNP victory, Labour had held a majority of 13,500 votes. However in a close-ran affair, with a recount to boot, Labour were ushered out of power by 365 votes.

This serves as the latest blow to Gordon Brown's already shaky premiership - it appears that Alex Salmond's promise of a 'political earthquake' came to fruition.

It was a bad night for the Liberal Democrats too, who were beaten into third place by Conservative candidate Davena Rankin.

The results in full:

John Mason, SNP - 11,277
Margaret Curran, Labour - 10,912
Davena Rankin, Conservative - 1,639
Ian Robertson, Lib Dem - 915
Frances Curran, Scottish Socialist Party - 555
Tricia McLeish, Solidarity - 512
Dr Eileen Duke, Scottish Greens - 232
Chris Creighton, Independent - 67
Hamish Howitt, Freedom 4 Choice - 65

Turnout 42.25% (Down on the 48% turnout at the 2005 General Election)

Congrats to James Skinner

2008-07-18T15:47:00.002+01:00

The BUCA Committee would liketo congratulate James Skinner for winning the race to become the next Area Chairman for Bristol & Glos CF.

We hope that we will be able to work closely with James to increase not only what we offer to our members in terms of social events and occassions, but also allow more students to get actively involved with helping our local candidates, and ultimately the party as a whole, elected into Parliament.

Comiserations go to Laura Rose-Sanders who failed in ehr bid to become the next area chairman. However, we admire and thank her for the hard work she has put in as departing chair Nick's deputy. Hopefully she will remain with the local CF in some capacity, where her experience can still be utilised to full effect.

Conservatives publish expenses

2008-07-16T19:09:00.002+01:00

The Party has published details of Conservative MP expenses.

The comprehensive set of details includes a full list of staff, members of family employed, expenses incurred within their offices and the cost of staying away from their main home.

Party leader David Cameron feels that this is the next step in his drive to create a transparent face for the party in order to promote trust amid the voting public.

Cameron said,
"Politicians need to do everything they can to regain the trust of the British people, and transparency has a key part to play in that process. We must show that we're spending taxpayers money sensibly and correctly. We are the first party to demand this information from our members, and our MPs are voluntarily revealing a much more detailed breakdown of their expenses than official rules require them to. I'm glad that we're leading the way."

The expenses are published in a set of pdf documents available on:

http://www.conservatives.com/tile.do?def=news.story.page&obj_id=145781

Don't Forget to BACK BORIS!!!

2008-04-29T14:58:00.002+01:00

Don't forget that this coming Thursday, May 1st, is polling day in the London Mayoral Elections. While I have no doubt that those of you who can vote in London will vote for Boris, convince your fellow Londoners that this is the right way to go!

But also, it is not only London which will hit the polls, as May 1st is local election day for various areas across the nation. While there is no poll in Bristol this year, Conservative candidates need your support across the country. Bristol and Glos CF Area Chairman Nick Webb has posted this on his website:

"Back Boris and...

Select Sophie (St Augustine's Ward, Vale of Glamorgan)
Grab Gordon (Abbey Ward, Gloucester)
Support Simon (Pentyrch Ward, Cardiff)
Decide on Duncan (Charlton Kings Ward, Cheltenham)
Advocate Alex (Dursley Ward, Stroud)
.... you get the idea vote Conservative on Thursday!"

You heard the man!!!

Michael Gove

2008-04-28T13:41:00.002+01:00

Hello BUCA members...

Not to sound biased in anyway, but you really did miss out on a good night last Thursday, as the Bristol and Gloucestershire Conservatives presented a great evenign at Wong's Restaurant, with Michael Gove as guest speaker.

As Shadow Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, Michael Gove is genuinely one of the rising stars of David Cameron's shadow cabinet, and it was a pleasure to hear from him. He even entertained a Question and Answer session, with no questions off limits... well within reason of course!

The Chinese banquet itself was stunning too.... making for a great night. Of course one of the UWE Conservatives winning an extra bottle of wine (which we subsequently dealt with rather too quickly)in the post-dinner auction, did not hurt.

Charlotte Leslie and Chris Skidmore, Parliamentary Candidates from Bristol North West and Kingswood respectively, were also in attendance making for a great chance to network too!

We really hope that more of you will attend events in the future. It truly is a pleasure to attended these functions, and we hope that you will have the same conclusion if you do choose to come in the future.

Keep checking this blog, and your inboxes, for news of upcoming Conservative and BUCA-specific events.

The BUCA committee would also like to wish our members luck for their upcoming exams, essays etcetera!

Leslie Vs Townend: The Verdict

2008-03-18T12:07:00.002Z

By all accounts the debate between Charlotte Leslie (yay!) and Sam Townend (Boo!)was the first clash between the Bristol North West Parliamentary Candidates, for the Conservatives and Labour respectively.

I for one was surprised at the amount of unity between the two, with both Charlotte and Sam agreeing upon a lot of topics, such as on education as well as on the shambles that has been the governments attempts to maintain data security. I do always ask how hard it is to lose CDs when I think of this...

Anyway, there were some differences in opinion - mainly over the general topic of the debate which was whether Gordon Brown's government is any good (that's putting it in layman's terms but you get the picture). Luckily Charlotte didn't think it was, and well Sam's response was pretty obvious too.

However, although good points were made by both sides, there was no firm result - neither outshined the other to that extent. However, this is the first of many battles that will be had between the two in the coming months and even years ... depending on when Sam's boss finally decides the time is right for an election...

That being said, I agree with Nick Webb's sentiments - there weren't exactly many 'undecided's in the room anyway. Such debates will really make a difference when we can get those swing voters to attend. Getting students to vote full stop is one of our main priorities, getting them to vote Blue is another matter entirely, but again one that we feel we,k as well as all of our Parliamentary candidates in Bristol, can achieve over the coming years.

Social on April 28th

2008-03-17T12:31:00.001Z

Just to remind you all before you go home (or whatever!) for the Easter vacation, don't forget that the new BUCA Committee is holding its first big social on April 28th.

The start time and venue(s) are as of yet unconfirmed, but it should... rephrase... WILL be a great evening.

Put it in your diaries now!

Debate Tonight!!!

2008-03-14T17:10:00.001Z

We hope to see a number of BUCA members attending a special debate event, in association with the UoB Labour Club:

THIS HOUSE PROPOSES:'This house has no faith in her Majesty's government'

Surprisingly enough in proposition is a Tory and our very own Charlotte Leslie- PPC (prospective parliamentary candidate) for Bristol North West.

In opposition is Sam Townsend, Labour PPC for the constituency.

It should be a fascinating debate and a really interesting evening watching poor Mr Townsend try and support the government of Gordon Brown.

Hiatt Baker Dining Room
Entry is free and open to all
7.30 debate begins

Hope to see as many of you there as possible for the complimentary wine reception,

We Want Your Feedback

2008-03-04T16:23:00.003Z

UPDATE: EMAIL QUESTIONNAIRE
Everyone who is on the BUCA mailing list should have received an email detailing our plans for the coming weeks. Possibly the most crucial part of it is the questionnaire at the bottom, which we invited you to reply to. The details are posted below:
Next social event

We are having our first big social next term on the 28th April but as ofyet are unsure of what we want to do.
Therefore would you be kind enough to fill in the following (very short)questionnaire?

1. What sort of socials would you like to see in the coming year?-please select as many as are applicable.
a) bar crawls/clubbing
b) wine and cheese tasting#
c) casual drinks
d) dinners Sunday Roasts?
e) formals
f) activities (e.g. shooting, ice skating etc)
g) lunches
h) singles nights
*if none of these options appeal to you please suggest an alternative*

2. Why do you rarely (if ever) attend events?-please select as many as are applicable.
a) you don’t know anyone there
b)frankly underwhelmed by those that you have met thus far
c) socials are inconveniently timed/located (if so please suggest more appropriate dates, times and venues)
d) you didn’t join the society for social reasons and thus would prefer events that are more informative and political
e) you have no interest in participating and/or networking and are unsurewhy you bothered to join and pay £5 for the privilege

3. What sort of ‘political’ events would you like to attend?-please select as many as are applicable.
a) talks by MPs
b) talks by local candidates
c) talks by Shadow Ministers
d) inter-party debates
e) general political discussion between student members

4. Do you have an interest in participating in campaign days?
a) yes but they are at awkward times
b) yes but the location is problematic - have no idea where 5, Westfield Park ( the local campaign headquarters) is
c) no because I am too busy
d) no because they are a waste of my time/ are boring too many old people
e) yes and I will perhaps attend in the future

5. What else would you like to see….?-please select as many as are applicable.
a) more advice, and promotion of opportunities to gain work experience with MPs, Shadow Ministers etc.
b) better advertisement of the society and its events
c) more opportunities to get involved in the society (e.g. having a role in the committee)
d) more frequent events
e) less frequent events
f) other (be SPECIFIC)

If you didn’t receive the email, contact the committee.
Or simply send your answers to the above questionnaire to si7908@bristol.ac.uk

Caroline Spelman tonight

2008-03-03T16:05:00.002Z

Don't forget that the Caroline Spelman reception is tonight at 6pm, at 5 Westfield Park.
The new committee looks forward to seeing some of you guys there!

The Bristol Blogger

2008-02-26T10:10:00.004Z

Check this out, the Blog has already received publicity from an external source. It's pretty sarcastic and not exactly endearing but then again, I'm assured the blogger has never enhibited behaviour resembling the latter!

Interesting to see how the Blogger takes the typical 'rich' Tories route.... Hmm... Still any publicity is good publicity, and so BUCA extends a 'thank you' to the mysterious Mr Blogger.

http://thebristolblogger.wordpress.com/2008/02/25/tory-blog-news/

Manifesto 08/09

2008-02-22T10:34:00.001Z

Hello and welcome to the new BUCA!

As we stated in our email to all of you, our manifesto was all about change and the change that is going to convert BUCA back to the society it once was.Our aims for this society are long term. When accomplished, we hope their impact will last far beyond our leadership:

We want BUCA to become a breeding ground for future Conservative politicians.

We want BUCA to be well known for its speaker debates and its influence on policy and direction in the party.

We want to hold national conventions where members from other university associations meet to discuss ideas and prospects.

We want it to be exciting,engaging and beneficial to the cause.

We are going to become a more social and widely recognised society but we are also going to become a politically acclaimed society, known for our brilliant campaign days and our canvassing efforts.

At the end of the day we all want to see the Conservatives in power and the best way to do this is to get involved and show your support at a local level. Grass root politics is still a fundamental necessity and brilliant fun so please help us to make BUCA one of the most prestigious and influential Conservative associations outside of the party headquarters.

Caroline Spelman at Westfield Park

2008-02-21T18:13:00.001Z

Dear All,

This was forwarded on from the local association. The new committee will definitely be going and it would be great to see some of you there.
If enough people are interested then I am sure reduced price tickets for students would be avaliable.
There is a bar at 5, Westfield Park and the wine is drinkable and cheap so come along.

Eleanor

As part of a Regional Tour, the Conservative Party Chairman, Caroline
Spelman MP, will be visiting Bristol on Monday 3rd March. We have organised
an event as follows:

Bucks Fizz Reception with Caroline Spelman MP

Monday 3rd March 2008

6.00pm-7.30pm

5 Westfield Park, Redland

Tickets £10 to include Bucks Fizz and nibbles

If you wish to attend this event please ring Sue Bristowe on 9736811. As the
notice period for this event is limited, you may pay on the door, but please
book you place by phone.

( or alternatively contact me and I will ask about reduced price tickets - 07765368853 ed7881@bristol.ac.uk)

Welcome!

2008-02-21T16:57:00.001Z

Welcome to the new Bristol University Conservative Association blog!
This is one of the first steps towards BUCA publicising itself more, and hopefully a lot of our members will use this site to catch up on what's happening in and around BUCA.

To start off with, BUCA is proud to introduce its new committee for 2008/2009. The following were elected at the Annual General Meeting last month:

Co-Chairs: Eleanor Downey, Harriet Levett
Treasurer/Secretary: Robin Wickenden
Publicity Officer: Simon Iles (yep that's me!)
Non-Portfolio Officer: Christopher Smith