Kindly sponsored by the Coningsby club, a London-based dining club for alumni of Oxford and Cambridge Universities, helping alumni keep in touch with the Conservative cause.

The Annual Garden Party will be held in the tranquil environs of Clare Memorial Court Gardens

Monday 14th June from 2.30pm.

 Dress: Summer Smart.

£10/£15

Cheques to J M Oxley at Caius.

Start May Week in style with CUCA’s traditional gala dinner and its duly debauched after-parties.

Tickets £43 (members) else £48.

Tickets are strictly limited so please email the Chairman and send a cheque to J M Oxley at Caius ASAP.

Evening Dress.

See Facebook event.

• “Hung Parliament Punting”, courtesy of Dr Madsen Pirie, on Friday 21st May (a great way to procrastinate);
• Annual Garden Party (theme to be announced).

Welcome back!

We have a very important speaker coming on the 26th - check last week’s email for more details.

Also, on the 25th April (Sunday) we will be hosting the first PORT AND CHEESE of term:

Green Room, Caius, 8pm, Black Tie, £6/£8 – cheques to J M Oxley at Caius.

If you’re new to the format of Port and Cheese, it is the best opportunity you’ll get to meet lots of like minded people and set the world to rights over copious quantities of port and plenty of cheese.

Rt Hon Michael Howard, QC, MP

~PRESIDENT of CUCA
~Leader of the Conservative Party, 2003-05
~Home Secretary, 1993-1997
~Secretary of State for the Environment, 1992-1993
~Secretary of State for Employment, 1990-1992
~Member of Parliament for Folkestone and Hythe, 1983-2010
~Alumnus of Peterhouse
~Union President, Easter 1962
~Principal Operator in “The Cambridge Mafia”

…is coming to visit CUCA to address us once more. His Party leadership, electoral gains, and record of speeches in the House (and Union Chamber) speak to the great experience, insight and political ability that he will be bringing to his old haunt.

The time is subject to confirmation – watch this space.

24th February – Cambridge Union Society

David Willetts MP, the Shadow Secretary of State for Universities and Skills, is coming to Cambridge on Monday 8th February, 5.30pm in the Old Music Room at St John’s to talk about higher education under a Conservative Government.
In fact, this is almost certainly the only public meeting that David Willetts – who could well be in charge of universities after May 6th – will be speaking at in Cambridge between now and the general election. David is in the news a lot at the moment as his new book The Pinch is published today by Atlantic Books.

Nick Hillman, Conservative Candidate for Cambridge in the 2010 general election, says:
‘This will be an excellent opportunity to grill the person who the polls suggest will be in charge of universities after the election.
‘After Labour’s £1 billion of university cuts and the Lib Dems’ change of line on tuition fees, we want people to come and hear the Conservatives’ positive alternative for the university sector.’

Trinity Alumnus, sometime don at Darwin, former activist with CULC and the Chairman of the Conservative Policy Review, Oliver Letwin MP, will address a joint meeting of CUCA and Peterhouse Politics in the Lubbock Room (Peterhouse), at 8.45pm on Wednesday 10th February. We expect some juicy gossip on what will and won’t be in the Tory Party manifesto, tales of the inner machinations of the the opposition and free wine and nibbles.

Just a quick note to wish you all a Happy New Year!

Coming this term join us for gin, tonic, cava, cake, port, cheese, tea, three excellent guest speakers and the sumptuous Chairman’s dinner with all the associated revelry (not all in the same evening, of course).

See this website and our facebook group for rolling details.

An update on what’s happening in CUCA this week.

Andrew Lansley – 2nd November  The Shadow Secretary of State for Health will speak to members of CUCA and the Union: “Healthcare reform – how wide is the atlantic?”. Union building, 7pm.

Campaigns Officer: The role of Campaigns Officer is up for grabs this term. Get in touch with Callum Wood (the incumbent) for more information. Nominations close on Monday 9th, with an interview on the 14th.

Thursday Debate – 5th November Two debates that any self-respecting CUCA member should turn up to: Firstly, see Caroline and Gavin attack George Owers (et al.) in the annual CUCA vs CULC debate; immediately following that, Michael Howard, James Sharpe and Stephen Parkinson will oppose the motion This House has No Confidence in Her Majesty’s Opposition. This will no doubt be heated, riveting and packed-out, so arrive early to get a seat in the Chamber.

Free Spirits – **postponed** New date will be found soon – Come and campaign for individual and civil liberties with our friends in The Freedom Association, followed by free drinks in the Union afterwards.

A MAN FOR ALL SEASONS: the story of Sir Thomas More’s rise to greatness, fall from favour and subsequent martyrdom, featuring a more than a couple of people from the CUCA committee, plays in Peterhouse Theatre on Friday Saturday Sunday (6th 7th 8th). Tickets from www.adcticketing.com .

The first of our notorious Port and Cheese events – delicious cheese and copious amounts of port (as well as brilliant company) for only £6.

Green Room, Caius College – 8pm on Saturday 24th.

Please send a cheque to Caroline Cummins at Newnham, payable to “Cambridge University Conservative Association”. Book ASAP because places are limited.

(£8 for non-members: but you can sign-up there and then).

Dress code: Black Tie

(See our Bright Blue Freshers’ Guide for James’s guide to formalwear)