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.
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Abbreviation | AUCUA |
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Formation | 1881 |
Type | Political Association |
Location | |
Chairman | Haytham Alrifai |
Honorary President | Andrew Bowie MP |
Main organ | Executive Committee |
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.
Chairmen
- 2023/24 - Haytham Alrifai
- 2022/23 - Eitan Godsi/Marco Oosthuizen
- 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
Current Committee
- Chairman - Haytham Alrifai
- Vice President - Christopher Hempton
- Secretary - Douglas Barnett
- Treasurer - Marco Oosthuizen
- Social Secretary - Kai Suleman
- Social Media Secretary - Isaac Parsons
- Party Liaison - Shane Painter & Kai Suleman
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.