Resignations drive OUCA deeper into turmoil
Senior Officers in the Oxford University Conservative Association staged a mass resignation yesterday in the wake of divisions and allegations over forged signatures. President Simon Clarke, Treasurer Charles Cooke, Treasurer- Elect Rosa Abulafia, Secretary Sam Tombs and Political Officer Tim Stafford all resigned at a highly-charged meeting of OUCA Council. Their resignations will come into effect this evening. Only President-Elect Charlie Steel remained in his post.
Steel will now become OUCA President. In his resignation speech to council, Clarke stated, “I wish it hadn’t come to it this term, but I should like to state that I have decided to resign. Nobody feels the pain of this more deeply than myself.” “I do wish to stay on, I have so much affection for this Association, but some sacrifices have to be made. Unless circumstances change by tomorrow evening, then I will resign.” Tombs said, “I’ve had enough.
I’ve had just about enough of this pettiness. I just want to get out. It is with deepest sadness that I submit this resignation.” The five Officers have given up their posts, but will remain as members of OUCA. The resignations were the result of tensions between Steel and Clarke, which have come to a head in the past two weeks. Two weeks ago, it was revealed that Steel’s election nomination paper is under police investigation because it contained forged signatures.
In last Wednesday’s council, Clarke admitted that he had forged signatures, in this case on a financial document. Last week, a number of present and former Officers including Clarke, Cooke and Stafford sent an open letter calling for Steel’s resignation. In it said, “We as members have no confidence in Charlie Steel as an Officer of the Association, and we demand his immediate resignation.” Steel’s refusal to resign prompted yesterday’s walkout by the Senior Officers.
Stafford said, “An attempt to secure Steel’s resignation has been exhausted. There is nothing left to do but to walk myself.” The meeting, often interrupted by angry shouts, threatened to descend into farce. Early in the proceedings, the meeting was interrupted by Chris Ware, former President and supporter of Steel, who with a group of friends entered the room spraying water pistols.
Ware told this newspaper, “It was going to be a serious meeting, and it was a sunny day, so we just wanted to do something a bit silly. Everyone took it well apart from Tim Stafford.” One after another, the Officers’ speeches of resignation attacked Steel and his supporters. Abulafia said, “The position of the President Elect of OUCA is untenable. He should instantly resign. His invalid nomination forms have damaged the reputation of OUCA.
His lack of resignation is dishonourable to say the least.” In his speech, Cooke said, “The behaviour of some people is so far beyond the realms of acceptability it’s risible. OUCA is not fun • it’s not allowed to be decent. A small clique has brought us to our knees. There is a line between reality and games • for you it will soon be game over.” Steel’s supporters responded angrily to the speeches. Ware said, “It’s completely, transparently, a personal attack.
You don’t care if Charlie is convicted • you just want him to resign.” David Cochrane asked, “Are we hearing resignation speeches or a barrage of litanies against my friends Chris Ware and Charles Cooke?” “Don’t the current officers admit this is a conspiracy to ruin Charlie Steel’s presidential term?” Clarke, who will be sitting his finals in Modern History later this term, stated that academic reasons were also behind his decision to resign.
He told Council, “I’ve got my finals, I can’t do this and my exams. I didn’t anticipate this.” Yesterday’s series of resignations brings more problems to the beleaguered Association. At the Council, OUCA former-Treasurer Sophie Bower admitted that the Association was “the joke of Conservative central office”. Steel is still under police investigation amid claims that a number of signatures on his electoral nomination form were forged.
Steel came third place in last week’s local election, with 13% of the vote.
11th May 2006