Tomorrow (9th Feb) we will be talking education. With the leaking of the
Conservatives’ plans to tackle red-tape encircling the building of
schools, we’ll discuss our opinions on the plans, and what else we are
hoping to see from a Conservative government in terms of education on a
wider level.

If you haven’t seen the details, here they are:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8502553.stm

1pm White Bear.

Also, please remember to put the 8th March, 8pm in your diary for the BUCA
AGM. It’ll be in the Wills Memorial Building in the Old Council Chamber.
Please come for a prompt 8pm start, as we have to be done by 9.30pm.

Thanks, and hopefully see you tomorrow lunchtime,

Simon Iles

Tomorrow we will be resuming our lunchtime political discussions in the White Bear, at the usual time of 1pm.

We will be talking about healthcare and the NHS, what the Conservatives plans are, and what you would like to see happen.

That’s tomorrow, Tuesday January 26th, White Bear, 1pm.

This message is to advise you that, due to exams and essays and the like,
we will be resuming activities in Teaching Block 2.

There will, therefore, be a lunchtime meeting on the 26th of January at
1pm in the White Bear, with a topic to be confirmed.

I also bring to your attention the fact that our AGM will be coming up
before the Easter break. Full details, and advice on how you can propose
motions and stand for the committee elections, will be sent in due course.

Thanks, and good luck with any assessments you are working on at the moment,

The BUCA Committee.

I am happy to bring to you another great opportunity for BUCA members.

On the 14th January, Bristol and South Gloucestershire Conservatives are hosting a meal with the shadow Health Secretary as the guest speaker.

BUCA membership entitles you to attend such events organised by the local association.

We have been offered a special student price of £30 per person, which will get you a three-course meal and coffee, and, of course, the privilege of hearing Andrew Lansley lay out his plans in person, ahead of the General Election.

BSG Conservatives require payment in advance (preferably by cheque, but otherwise by cash) for this event, with cheques payable to ‘BCA’.

You have a couple of options:

You can reserve your place yourself, by calling the BSG Conservative office on 0117 9736811 or emailing the association agent Lucy Wheeler on lucy.wheeler@bsgconservatives.com, before  posting  your cheque to:

Bristol Conservatives, FREEPOST (SWB 176), Bristol, BS6 6BR

OR

You can give your cheque or cash payment to me, and I will pass it on to the local association to reserve your place.

You could do that next Tuesday (December 1st) lunchtime at 1pm in the White Bear, during our lunchtime discussion on the ’special relationship’ or at the Christmas meal that evening. Or, you could even pay in person this Saturday morning before heading off for campaigning with Charlotte Leslie, as we are meeting at 5 Westfield Park, the Bristol and South Gloucestershire Conservatives office.

Thanks,

Simon Iles

BUCA Chairman

Thanks to those who emailed me about the Christmas meal, I have now sent you an email regarding menu choices. If you could get back to me as soon as possible, that would be great.

Also thanks to those who came to the lunchtime discussion this afternoon. An interesting discussion about the economy which descended into an even more interesting discussion on foreign policy. It sparked an idea for next week’s topic – If we hypothetically accept David Cameron as the next PM (far from guaranteed as we all know, which is why we should campaign – SEE BELOW! -) how do we see the ’special relationship’ progressing with Obama and Cameron as the two cross-Atlantic leaders? Next Tuesday, 1pm, White Bear, ahead of our Christmas meal in the evening.

Now, onto this coming Saturday and Charlotte Leslie’s BLAST Day. With the Lib Dems also rumoured to be leafleting on Saturday, Charlotte needs our help in delivering her campaign literature to the homes of Bristol North West.

If you are up bright and early, you can head to 5 Westfield Park for 9.30am for a bacon butty, but leafleting will not commence until 10, so don’t worry if you want a couple more minutes in bed!

As always, there will be two leafleting sessions, separated by a pub lunch at 1pm, and finished off with mince pies and Christmas festivities at the Conservative club on 131 Westbury Road. Come for as much or as little as you can manage, but do please try to come along.

Thanks,

Simon Iles
BUCA Chairman.

P.S. For anyone still clueless as to where 5 Westfield Park is, let Google Maps guide your path:

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=5+Westfield+Park,+Clifton,+Bristol&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=49.223579,79.013672&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=5+Westfield+Park,+Bristol,+City+of+Bristol+BS8+2,+United+Kingdom&ll=51.467416,-2.60906&spn=0.009531,0.01929&z=16

–

A final reminder that we will be discussing all things economic tomorrow lunchtime, provoked by David Cameron’s announcement that he will initiate an emergency budget if the Conservatives do indeed win the General Election next year. 1pm in the White Bear.

Talking of winning elections, Bristol North West candidate Charlotte Leslie would really appreciate your help during her pre-Christmas BLAST day this coming Saturday. See the Events page for more information.

And, another final reminder: those of you who want to come to our Christmas Meal but have not emailed me to book, then please do so tonight! Email me at si7908@bristol.ac.uk

Simon Iles,

BUCA Chairman.

Firstly, thanks to all who came to the Mark Lloyd Davies speech last night. With members and non-members, as well as religious and non-religious people in attendance, the debate was rather interesting indeed.

Our Social Secretary, Matthew Bedrossian, is helping to organise the White
Winter Party being held at The Bunker next Thursday. He has kindly offered
BUCA members the chance to gain VIP entry to the event for the reduced
price of £7.

For more information:

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#/event.php?eid=348001010159&ref=ts

He is working out the placements in the VIP area over the weekend, so if
you would like to take him up on the offer, then please email him on
mb8605@bristol.ac.uk as soon as possible.

In addition – Don’t forget to email Simon Iles (si7908@bristol.ac.uk) to reserve your place at our Christmas meal.

For more information about that:

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#/event.php?eid=185377460442&ref=mf

Please reserve by this coming Monday!

And, we will be resuming our weekly political discussions on Tuesday at
1pm in the White Bear. Details on the topic will be sent out over the
weekend or on Monday.

Tonight, at 7.30pm in the Old Council Chamber of the Wills Memorial Building, Dr Mark Lloyd Davies (Bristol South Candidate and Trustee of the Conservative Christian Fellowship) will be speaking on the topic ‘Should religion have a role in politics?’

This event is open to members and non-members alike, but with spaces limited, get there early to avoid disappointment!

One final reminder that the Curry and Canvassing with Bristol North West
candidate, Charlotte Leslie, is tomorrow at 5pm.

We’re meeting at 5 Westfield Park, which is the Bristol and South
Gloucestershire Conservatives. It is opposite the Mariposa Bar on
Whiteladies Road.

Here is a map:

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=5+Westfield+Park,+Clifton,+bristol&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=31.839416,56.513672&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=5+Westfield+Park,+Bristol,+City+of+Bristol+BS8+2,+United+Kingdom&ll=51.472783,-2.621001&spn=0.004765,0.009645&z=17

Canvassing, is basically knocking on doors around Charlotte’s
constituency, and gauging residents’ opinions. It is really key
information for the party as they continue with Charlotte’s campaign in
the run-up to the election.

It really is good experience, and training will be offered to those who
have never canvassed before.

But, to make things better, we will be retreating to the White Lion pub in
Westbury where a curry and a pint apparently only costs a fiver!

Lifts will be available.

Hope to see you tomorrow, at 5 Westfield Park, at 5pm!

Regards,

Simon Iles
BUCA Chairman 09/10.

–

Just to point out our next two major events – This Thursday is the Curry and Canvassing event with Bristol North West candidate Charlotte Leslie. Meet at 5 Westfield Park (Map) at 5pm for a couple of hours’ campaigning and a cheap curry (a curry and a pint for just a fiver!) at a nearby pub. Canvassing training will be provided, and lifts back afterwards will also be available.

Then, on Thursday 19th November, Dr Mark Lloyd Davies will be delivering a speech on whether religion should play a role in politics. 7.30pm, Old Council Chamber, Wills Memorial Building. Mark, who is the candidate for Bristol South and a trustee of the Conservative Christian Fellowship, will be taking questions after his speech, so come along and have your say. Entry is completely free.