Don't Forget to BACK BORIS!!!

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

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

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

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!!!

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

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 recieve the email, contact the committee.
Or simply send your answers to the above questionnaire to si7908@bristol.ac.uk

Caroline Spelman tonight

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!