OUCA swing to Reich-wing
YET ANOTHER NAIL was hammered into OUCA's coffin this week, with revelations of mounting debts and a neo-Nazi 'drinking song,' which is allegedly sung at OUCA functions. At the same time disillusioned members are preparing to launch a splinter group and do away with the scandal-ridden organisation once and for all.
The Oxford Student was supplied this week with a copy of the lyrics to OUCA's alleged 'drinking song' by an ex-OUCA member. The song would suggest that members need to shed more than just their tweed jackets. The lyrics which follow a Nazi theme, have led to suggestions that some members fancy themselves as the Oxford equivalent of the stormtroopers:
"Dashing thro' the Reich
In a black mercedes-benz
killing lots of kikes
Rat-a-tat-tat-tat
Mow the buggers down
Oh what fun it is to be
the SS in ze town
Oh lebensraum , lebensraum
Tack the buggers out
Oh what fun it is to be
an intolerant Kraut."
In addition, OUCA appears to be facing severe financial problems. A copy of an OUCA financial report on Saturday 24th April confirms that it was over £700 in debt at the time. This runs contrary to President Stephen Doody's earlier denials of any financial difficulties.
The report stated a balance of £358, with moneys owed to OUCA put at £502, far outweighed by the £980 the society owed to various debtors. In addition, the report stated "no income" was due at that time of year, as few membership fees are collected in April. However, some sources have suggested that the lack of income might be explained by the suspicion that not all OUCA members necessarily pay for their membership and are 'invited' to join near election times.
Just when OUCA's reputation was thought to have hit rock bottom, this most recent revelation once again throws the society's honesty and competence into disrepute. Since pictures of Will Goodhand enjoying an intimate moment with Christine Hamilton hit the front page of the Sun last month, OUCA has not only witnessed the resignation of many key student members but has also suffered the humiliating decision by Conservative Central Office to disassociate with the Oxford group.
Sheridan Westlake, a former Central Ward Conservative Councillor candidate remarked: "When even Conservative Central Office distances itself from OUCA at least once a year, it's a clear sign that Oxford Conservatism needs a shake up....Oxford Conservatism needs rebranding; it needs to shift from its posh-tweed image towards a pro-active campaigning organisation fighting on issues like the college fee and the OTS." However, as much as Conservative Central Office may wish to distance itself from OUCA activities, it is no secret that William Hague was once President of OUCA himself and was, ironically, convicted of electoral malpractice. Oxford Union sources claim that during a visit to the Oxford Union, Hague was recorded to have said: " It is not the election that one needs to worry about...it's more the tribunal thereafter."
In a bid to provide an alternative association for 'real' Oxford Conservatives, there has been speculation with regard to the formation of a new group called 'Conservative Future'. A number of disillusioned OUCA members who have resigned in light of its recent activities as well as Oxford Conservatives who have had no previous involvement with OUCA have been involved in preliminary talks regarding the launch of 'Conservative Future' in Michaelmas 1999. Robin Conway, one of its proponents, asserted that they would not proceed until after the European Elections when they hoped to approach Conservative Central Office for their support.
Conway expressed hopes that such a group would be more representative of Conservatives in Oxford and be more of a 'broad church', devoid of 'cliquishness'. He voiced concerns that OUCA tended to schedule predominantly right-wing speakers and proposed that fewer speakers with a wider range of perspectives as a better alternative. 'Conservative Future' would be less inward looking, and provide a canvassing drive for the Conservative party. As for their organisation of this new group, Conway alluded to a standard constitution used by 'Conservative Future' groups across the country but insisted that there would only be a general preliminary committee with no fixed positions until Michaelmas with the arrival of freshers who might want to get involved.
After attempts to speak to outgoing President Steven Doody, he revealed that he had been banned from speaking to the press by the Dean of Balliol, as well as being forbidden all but close blood relatives from his room in college. The question now seems whether the society will last longer than its departing leader.