St Andrews University Conservative and Unionist Association
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St Andrews University Conservative and Unionist Association is the largest political society at the University of St Andrews in Scotland. Founded in 1867, by Frederick Johnston, it claims to enjoy a membership of over 250, which would make it one of the largest student political societies in the United Kingdom.
The society is notable for its longevity and its publications, most notably the policy journal, Progressus which was first published in 1960.
[edit] Early history
In the St Andrews Gazette of Saturday, February 23rd., 1867, appears the following report, announcing the birth of a new student society.
It may interest some among our readers to know that a club has, in the course of the last week or so, been started among the students of our University for the purpose of furthering the growth of a steady and enlightened Conservatism. This is no novelty in the Universities of Scotland. A Conservative Club has existed in Glasgow for nearly twenty years, and is daily growing stronger, and at this time, numbers from four to five hundred members. In Edinburgh ….. the Club there existing supplies a strong mass of Conservatives leaven that may yet become more powerful in its effects. We are glad to say that the St Andrews University Conservative Club starts with all fair prospects of success. This is not the place to dwell on the advantages and disadvantages of such associations; we are only at present concerned to chronicle the fact, and give some particulars regarding the progress already made.
Certainly the members of the Club have not hitherto allowed the grass to grow under their feet. Its first regular meeting was held on Wednesday, the 13th inst,. When above 40 members were enrolled, and office bearers appointed for the current session – Mr. Johnston of St. Mary’s and Mr G. Forbes of the United College, being chosen President and Secretary respectively. Since then several other names of members anxious to join have been received. The great event of the evening, however, was the appointment of Messrs. J.S. Falconer and P. Watson to proceed to Glasgow as a deputation to the annual dinner of the Glasgow Club the following day. It is long since there has been any such formal interchange of civility between the students of St Andrews and those of any of the sister Universities. Judging , however, from the warmth of the reception accorded to these representatives by the members of the Glasgow Club, it will not prove the last. And this is only as it should be; for if report speaks true, and if just claims be recognised, the time is not so far distant when the political opinions of our graduates must have an opportunity of more direct expression, and the formation of sound views among those who are yearly recruiting the numbers of our University Councils becomes a matter of paramount importance…..
[edit] Committee (as of 2006)
- President: Ian McFarlane
- Vice-President: Elizabeth Rhodes
- Treasurer: David Ritchie
- Secretary: Christopher Hawkins
- Social Secretary: Gabrielle Mancini
- Membership Officer: Alex Jennings
- Alumnus Officer: Robert Fett
- Publications Officer: Emily Poolton
- Publicity Officer: Ashley Stevens
- Policy Officer: Stephen Haraldsen
- Postgraduate Representative: Jason Dunn
- Ordinary Members: Royce Hunt and Victoria Westwood
- Bejant Representative: James Boulter
- Honorary President: Donald Findlay QC
- Honorary Vice Presidents: Ted Brocklebank MSP, Mrs Norma Davis, Murdo Fraser MSP
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