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Durham University Conservative Association Alumni

The current executive are very keen to develop links with past members of the various Durham University Conservatives' groups which have existed over the years. We are hence currently working on the development of an alumni network, with the view to holding events for alumni, as well as inviting past members to our regular events, encouraging connections between present and former members. We also aim to produce regular alumni newsletters to keep former members up to date with our progress, as well as providing members who have lost touch with one another with a chance to reconnect.



We would also be very interested to hear from alumni who would be interested in returning to Durham to speak to current members, whether they are involved with politics or another profession.



We are also looking into the possibility of sponsorship opportunities for campaigns, to maximise the effectiveness of DUCA as a political force on the road to the next election.



If any former members are interested in getting involved, please Contact Us or join our Alumni Network on Facebook.

 
Notable DUCA Alumni

Nick Gibb MP

Nick Gibb MP, a former Law student at Hild Bede, was Chairman of the Durham Federation of Conservative Students (the precursor organisation to DUCA) in 1979. He entered Parliament in 1997 as the member for Bognor Regis and Littlehampton and has since served on the front benches of William Hague, Iain Duncan Smith, Michael Howard and David Cameron. From 2010-2012 Nick was the Minister of State for Schools.

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Sir Edward Leigh MP

Sir Edward Leigh attended Durham from 1968-1971 where he attended University College and read history. In 1970 Sir Edward was elected Chairmain of the Conservative Association as well as President of the Union Society. As a key supporter of Margaret Thatcher, he was one of a handful who spoke to the Prime Minister on the morning of her resignation and urged her not to go. He later held office in John Major's administration and chaired the Public Accounts Committee until 2010. 

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James Wharton MP

James Wharton MP, a former Law student, was President of DUCA in 2004. He entered Parliament in 2010 as the member for Stockton South, having grown up in County Durham. James is still regularly involved with DUCA, and has spoken at several of our events. He has recently pioneered the EU Referendum Private Members Bill. Upon his re-election in 2015, James was appointed a Junior Minister for Communities and Local Government.

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Huw Merriman MP

Huw Merriman MP was DUCA chairman in 1994 whilst reading law. He ran unsuccessfully for the North East Derbyshire seat, narrowing Labour's majority by 9,000. He was later selected to fight the Bexhill and Battle constituency in 2015, which he won with a comfortable majority of 30,245.

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Edward Timpson MP

Edward Timpson MP read politics at Hatfield College frm 1991 before converting to law. He entered Parliament in 2008 due to a by-election in Crewe and Nantwich and has since increased his majority. Timpson is currently the Minister of State for Children and Families.  

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Sir Graham Brady MP

Graham Brady MP, a former Law student at St Aidans College, was President of DUCA in 1987. He entered Parliament in 1997 as the member for Altrincham and Sale West and has since held the position of Shadow Minister of Europe in both Michael Howard and David Cameron’s Shadow Cabinets. He was also the chairman of the 1922 Committee. 

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Jackie Doyle-Price MP

Jackie Doyle-Price MP, a former Economics student at University College, was Vice-Chairman Political of DUCA in 1989. She entered Parliament in 2010 as the member for Thurrock and has proven to be very active – especially in her position on the House of Commons Public Accounts Committee. Jackie recently met with DUCA members at a Union Society debate.

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Ben Howlett MP

Ben Howlett MP, a former History and Politics student, was President of DUCA in 2007. He entered Parliament at the 2015 as member for Bath with a majority of 3,833. He previously served as leader of the Harwich Town Council and Chairman of the national Conservative Future from 2010-2013.

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Robert Buckland QC MP

Robert Buckland QC MP, a former Law student at Hatfield College, was a member of DUCA in 1987, having been signed up by the then President Graham Brady. He entered Parliament in 2010 as the member for South Swindon and was appointed Solicitor General for England and Wales in the July 2014 reshuffle. 

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Past Presidents of DUCA
  • Sir Edward Leigh MP - University College - 1971

  • Nick Gibb MP - College of St Hild and St Bede - 1980

  • Graham Brady MP - St Aidan's College - 1987

  • Huw Merriman MP - University College - 1994 

  • James Wharton MP - University College - 2003-4 

  • Jim Bligh - St Aidan's College - 2004-5

  • Jules Hicks - St Mary's College - 2005-6

  • Sarah Hajibagheri - University College - 2006-7

  • Ben Howlett MP - St John's College - 2007

  • Patrick Hague - University College - Michaelmas 2008 

  • Timothy Hughes - Hatfield College - Epiphany/Easter 2008

  • Joseph Barker-Willis - University College - Michaelmas 2009 

  • Jack Stallworthy - University College - Epiphany/Easter 2010 

  • Matthew Carson - St Cuthbert's Society - Michaelmas 2010

  • Rory White-Andrews - Van Mildert College - Epiphany/Easter 2011 

  • Edward Bingham - Trevelyan College - Michaelmas 2011

  • Alexandra Burr - University College - Epiphany/Easter 2012

  • Megan Roberts - Trevelyan College - Michaelmas 2012

  • Miranda Jupp - University College - Epiphany/Easter 2013

  • Jonathan Duell - University College - Michaelmas 2013 

  • Alexander Grant - St Cuthbert's Society - Epiphany/Easter 2014

  • Nikolai Kravets - Grey College - Michaelmas 2014

  • Freddie Woodruff - University College - Epiphany/Easter 2015

  • Rhys Tanner - College of St Hild and St Bede - Michaelmas 2015

  • Piers Baker - University College - Epiphany/Easter 2016

  • Daniel Cohen - Josephine Butler College - Michaelmas 2016

  • Oliver Lewis - Grey College - Epiphany/Easter 2017

  • Connor Forster - St Aidan's College - Michaelmas 2017

  • Ben Cooper - St Aidan's College - Epiphany/Easter 2018

  • Thomas Eaton - St Aidan's College - Michaelmas 2018

  • Adam Forshaw - Grey College - Epiphany/Easter 2019

  • Jack Perry - St Cuthbert's Society - Michaelmas 2019

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