History

Glasgow University Conservative Association was founded in 1836 at the University of Glasgow, Scotland, making it the oldest University Conservative Association in the United Kingdom. The Club was a branch of the Federation of Conservative Students and of the Young Conservatives. The club was, and still is, affiliated to the Scottish Conservative Party and its main aim was to promote Conservative principles in the University with special emphasis on student and University politics.

Particular emphasis was placed upon ensuring the University’s Rector was a Conservative. In fact, the 1972 version of the Association’s Constitution stated the aims of the Association as being “to promote Conservative principles in the University and to maintain the dignity of the Rectorial chair.” This led to a number of high profile Conservatives standing as rectorial candidates. Perhaps the most famous, and most successful was Benjamin Disreali.

In the past the office bearers of the Association were an Honorary President and no more than 12 Honorary Vice-Presidents elected at the annual business meeting held before Easter each year. There was also a President, Senior and Junior Vice-President, Secretary, Assistant Secretary and Whip Secretary, Treasurer and Convenors for information, entertainments and publicity also elected at the annual business meeting from the student population. The President and Secretary of the Queen Margaret Union of the University of Glasgow were also office bearers of the Club.

The Association also took part in the Parliamentary Debates held by the Glasgow University Union. These grand affairs proved to be an excellent training ground for future politicians as they cut their teeth in university politics