Loading ...
Produced for the benefit of those who have yet to attend our events. Whilst it is not exhaustive, this guide should give you some insight into the events that our society hosts!
Welcome Drinks Reception
Colloquially and infamously known as the ‘G & T Reception’. This is the first event of the year and is generally held on the first Tuesday after Fresher’s Fayre. There are usually copious amounts of Gin and Wine; Fruit Juices and Water are available for those who are still recovering from Fresher’s Week! It is a relaxed event with a ‘Smart Casual’ dress code. No doubt some of the committee and members will be in their finest three-piced suits or donning their favourite blazer, but jeans and a hoody suffice for many! It is traditional for the President to give a little speech about the society and the year ahead and for the reception to roll on to ‘Potion’ our local after-party haunt, next to Ramsey Hall, for a Mojito or two.
Tuesday Night Wine Reception
This is our principle regular event which attracts some very high profile political guests. Members rock up (again in Smart Casual), enjoy our selection of Wine and Juices whilst mingling and chatting with our guest and then settle in to their seats for approximately 30 minutes to listen to our guest speaker. This is usually followed by a wealth of questions, society notices and another round of mingling. The event is kept as informal as possible and is a great opportunity to meet senior politicians, new friends and discuss politics and contemporary issues.
Westminster Pub Crawl
This is exactly what it sounds like! We usually meet at St Stephen’s Tavern directly outside of Westminster Tube Station and proceed to crawl through every pub on Whitehall until the early hours of the morning. We then sing a round of ‘Burlington Burtie’ and ‘Tory Tory Hallelujah’ in Trafalgar Square before heading into the West End or onto the N29 homeward bound.
Port and Policy
We start with two debates, usually about controversial headline policies, with two members speaking ‘for’ and two members speaking ‘against’ the motion. We then hold a ‘Balloon Debate’ where the audience is invited to imagine that the 6 volunteer debaters are in fact politicians/celebrities who are in a sinking hot air balloon. The debaters must be thrown one by one from the balloon to save the remaining occupants. During each round the debater is given 2 minutes to convince the audience that he/she should remain in the balloon. This is always a debauched and lively evening, and often one of our most popular events. Many of our Fresher’s (and indeed old hands) drink the Port as wine and as such we usually spend the cheese budget on supplementary bottles!
Question Time
A selection of political guests form a panel which is chaired by the President. We follow the familiar format of the BBC programme with a selection of prepared questions which is debated by the panel. Questions and statements are taken from the audience and arguments general occur. In the past we have been graced by guests who have actually sat on the BBC show (cough… Douglas Murray) and often have a selection of MPs, Bloggers, Reporters and Tory Councillors. Again, this is often a very lively evening.
Christmas Dinner
Doesn’t really need explaining! We go to a pub, eat turkey, pull some crackers and have a festive quiz!
Annual Alumni Dinner
the highlight of our calendar, this black tie dinner usually takes place around the reading week Feburary/March. Members, Alumni and Friends are welcome to attend and eat delicious food and listen to a very distinguished guest speaker. The most recent dinner took place at the prestigious Carlton Club, but dinners have often in the past been held in the Old Refectory on campus.
AGM
A compulsory event, it gives an opportunity for members to ratify our constitution and vote in a new committee. This has in the past been poorly attended, but speeches are often amusing and surplus wine is available! The President and Treasurer also give their Annual Reviews (including the volumes of beverages consumed!)
Summer Pimms Party and BBQ
This is generally the final event of the academic year, and is held in a suitable outdoor location after the exam period. The president will hand over his fictitious baton to the president elect and we will eat, drink and be merry. If the equipment is recovered, we might even have a game of croquet!
In addition to the above the following is also likely to be on offer…
Tour of Parliament – Exactly what it sounds like, a group of members are given a tour of Parliament by one of our very own former members! We will probably go for lunch beforehand and for a drink afterwards.
Mayors Question Time – Just like PMQ’s, except with Boris and in the swanky central chamber in City Hall. Boris handles the questions thrown at him by the GLA with his eloquent witty and charming language. We might even get a tour by the Boris himself!
Conservative Party Conference – Often this is irritatingly held over the freshers period, the society gets some funding to subsidise members passes. A great weekend where you get to listen from all areas of the party.
Tour of the EU Parliament - That’s right, we hop on the Eurostar and head to either Brussels or Strasbourg. Heavily subsidised by both UCLU and the EU, the 3 day trip can cost as little as nothing! We arrange the transport, accommodation, tour of parliament and socials such as tours of chocolate factories and breweries!
Introductions to Think-Tanks – Many of our alumni are now in senior positions in reputable think- tanks. As such, we are often invited to guest speaker and dinner events hosted by the Tory Reform Group, The Bow Group, Conservative Way Forward, The Tax Payers Alliance, Adam Smith Institute, Young Britons Foundation and Policy Exchange.
Invitations to other CF Branches – Our members are welcome at events by other Conservative Future Branches including KCL, LSE, Imperial and SOAS.