The Cambridge University Conservative Association

President: The Rt. Hon. Lord Howard of Lympne Q.C.

The Cambridge University Conservative Association (CUCA) is the largest, most active political organisation at Cambridge University.

CUCA was founded in the early 20th Century to promote knowledge, discussion and support of Conservative policy, practice and philosophy both within the University and outside, and to provide active assistance for the Conservative cause.

We hold regular speaker meetings with Conservative politicians and thinkers, and other interesting people such as journalists and members of think tanks. These meetings often take the form of a discussion rather than a ‘lecture’ and people are always encouraged to get involved. Like college political societies, attendance to speaker meetings is free and open to those of all political beliefs. In the last few terms CUCA has been visited by numerous leading MPs, Peers, bloggers and journalists including Owen Paterson, The Earl of Onslow, James Delingpole and Frederick Forsyth.

CUCA is not just about speaker meetings. Every Lent term, CUCA organises a trip to Parliament to meet with MPs, which is known as the Westminister Tea Party. The Association also holds debates against the Cambridge University Labour Club and organises Policy Pub Meets to discuss topical subjects.

Campaigning is also an import aspect of CUCA – more information about this can be found in the ‘Campaigns’ section of this website.

It is CUCA’s social events, however, which are the highlight of the Cambridge term. At the end of every term is the Chairman’s Dinner – a black/white tie dinner to celebrate the outgoing Chairman’s term of office and welcome the incoming Chairman. Black Tie Port and Cheese Parties are also held each term and the Association organises other socials such as Gin and Tonic Parties, the annual Fresher’s Squashes and the annual Mayweek Garden Party. If any reason at all is need to join CUCA, it is that the Tories always throw the best parties in Cambridge!

The CUCA Tie

The CUCA tie is silver/grey with magenta stripes. The story goes that Rab Butler was asked to organise the production of CUCA ties, but left it to the last minute. He rushed into Ede & Ravenscroft and took the first tie they suggested.