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. AUCUA is the largest political association at the University of Aberdeen.
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 Aberdeen University Students' Association and provides support to the Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party.
Notable former members
Michael Bowes-Lyon (18th Earl of Strathmore and Kinghorne) - Former Deputy Chief Whip of the House of Lords. Andrew Bowie MP - Member of Parliament for West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine and former Deputy Chair of the Conservative Party. 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. Finlay Carson MSP- Member of the Scottish Parliament for Galloway and West Dumfries and Convener of the Rural Affairs, Islands and Natural Environment Committee. 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 Business, Economic Growth and Tourism. Kirstene Hair - Former MP for Angus. David Maclean (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. Dr Nanette Milne - Former Member of the Scottish Parliament for North East Scotland. Ross Thomson - Former Member of Parliament for Aberdeen South and former Member of the Scottish Parliament for North East Scotland. Dr David Torrance – Author, contemporary historian, freelance political journalist. Paul Wheelhouse - Former Scottish National Party Member of the Scottish Parliament for South Scotland and Scottish Government Minister for Energy, Connectivity and the Islands.
Current Committee
Below are the members of the 145th committee.
Chairman - Cameron McPhail Deputy Chairman - Henry Carre Chancellor - Paul Anderson Secretary - Sean Cameron Social & Welfare Officer - Charlotte Lanham Party Relations Officer - TBC
Chairmen According to the Association's constitution, the head of the Association is called the Chairman.
2026/Present - Cameron McPhail 2025/26 - Cameron McPhail 2024/25 - Henry Carre Jan 2024/Mar 24 - Shane Painter (Interim) Mar 2023/Dec 23 - 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 2001/02 - James Ashton 2000/01 - Alan Martin 1999/00 - Philip Atkinson 1998/99 - Louis Darrant 1997/98 - Paul Dickson 1985/86 - Murdo Fraser
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.
See also Scottish Young Conservatives
References