Conservative Party Congratulates Archibald on it's website!!!!

by Pundit Thu Apr 01, 2004 12:49

What are the left going to do about it? Do you want them to storm the USI offices?

Ben was democratically elected at the USI Congress.

This is yet another example of the SWP/SP contempt for democracy. A tiny gathering of trots believe that they have the right to decide who should be elected as USI officers.

by YOP Thu Apr 01, 2004 12:50

I'm right wing. I think it's funny...........

by SY/SP UCD Thu Apr 01, 2004 12:57

Seriously, this better not be true.......

by Dora Kaplan Thu Apr 01, 2004 12:58

Hearn believes in a one party Leninist dictatorship. He didnt admit that during the campaign.

by Oracle Thu Apr 01, 2004 13:01

This is actually true look at the website

www.conservativefuture.com

by Tory Watch Thu Apr 01, 2004 13:03

It's no April fool

by SM Thu Apr 01, 2004 13:34

It's great that we have someone from the unionist tradtion as USI pres but a member of Thatcher's party. Some stance must be taken about this by activists and ordinary members of USI. The organstion was bad in the days of FF and Colman Byrne and it has now sunk back to those depths - not lower.

by John Thu Apr 01, 2004 20:23

This is quite hilarious. I cant stop laughing. If the Left cant win a USI election, what hope have they got of taking control of the country. None! But, then they never had. They're just to dumb to realise it.

by UCD Class Rep Thu Apr 01, 2004 20:29

Archibald went in front of UCDSU and said that he was not a member of the Tory party. This is the real contempt for democracy, I have my differences with the SP but at least all their memebrs who go for elections in the SU are honest about their membership.

by Ben Archibald Thu Apr 01, 2004 22:39

I'm coming out on indymedia to be very clear about my relationship with the Conservative Party, to ensure that there is no mistake about my recent past and current political affiliations.

The reason is very clear: I addressed UCDSU and TCDSU and answered questions on politics, to which I answered that I am a former member of the Conservative Party. Inaccurate information has been presented on the Conservative Future Website. In the interests of openness, and notwithstanding my right to a private and family life, freedom of conscience and expression, I wish to make the following points very clear:

I am not now a member of the Conservative Party.

I have not renewed my membership of the party since 2002, when I was elected Convenor of NUS-USI.

On July 1st 2004 I will cease to be a member of NUS, and therefore will be unable to attend NUS meetings. As a result, I will not be able to perform any service (which was always in a personal capacity) to the CINUS group. I will not seek to do so.

On July 1st 2004, I will become normally resident in the Republic of Ireland, which would make membership of any UK political party either unlawful or impractical; possibly both.

I will not seek to join any political party during my time in office as USI President.

I hope this will end speculation; It must be pointed out that these are the simple and undeniable facts of the case.

I will not now seek to contribute any further to discussion on my political beliefs; I set out my beliefs and ambitions for USI in my manifesto, which was endorsed by Congress, and I stated my wish to unify the organisation against the threat of cutbacks and fees.

We have much work to do; I hope we can all work together to achieve a great USI.

Ní neart go chur le chéile

Ben Archibald

by Tomaso Fri Apr 02, 2004 10:00

Why exactly do you feel you need to explain yourself to a bunch or wet idealists and reds who would'nt spit on you if you were on fire?

by Honetsyisbestpolicy Fri Apr 02, 2004 16:19

Just because you don't renew your membership doesn't stop you being a Tory. The website clearly congratulated you for being elected as a Tory candidate. Also currently there is a manifesto doing the rounds in British colleges calling for a vote for you to some finance position in NUS which clearly has printed on it that you are the 'Conservative First' candidate.

You can't leave you party our your politics just because you cancelled a standing order we are not that stupid. You stil consider yourself a Tory, the tory's still consider you a Tory and everyone else considers you a Tory. Therefore you are a Tory. Why not just be honest and admit it instead of citing technicalities and semantics.

by Sysephius Fri Apr 02, 2004 17:59

Apparently, Archie was livid withe the article, and demanded changes to it; these changes were made, and now the headline is "Former CF officer elected as president of Irish students."

And another thing;
Is being a tory less valid in theory than being a socialist in the national student movement? Surely his actions and words have proven his fitness to be Úachtarán?



Sys

by opus Sat Apr 03, 2004 19:35

Tories are against unions and want to see them smashed or at least turned into ineffective organisations that exist to put a break on real action and as kindergartens for the future political elite.

Socialists are in favour of unions and want to see them turned into bodies that will fight effectivly in the interests of its members.

they are two completely different outlooks.

by Golda Sun Apr 04, 2004 03:18

its always funny seeing Unionists trying to cover up their true fundaments by throwing a few cupla focal to soften the blow.

by sensible Mon Apr 05, 2004 13:50

what difference does anyone's political beliefs make? just because someone believes in a party does not necessarily mean that they will do a bad job.

lets be honest, each candidate for USI President had political beleifs so you would be bitching no matter what the outcome! Ben has clearly stated that he is no longer an active member of the Tory's so just leave it out will ye?

by USI member Mon Apr 05, 2004 13:57

To say that being a Tory or being a Socialist is no difference is utter ludicruois shite.

Political beliefs make a hell of a difference. As a result of Ben's politics he looks upon the USI as an organisation that is primarily there to lobby and engage in partnership with the government. This is shown in the fact that in his years as an SU officer he continually engaged in this ineffective strategy. Contrast this to Rory Hearne, who is a socialist. He believes USI should be there to fight in the interests of the members and that USI should use its resources to activate and mobilise students in opposition to the government. He rejects the partnership approach or thecurrent USI. These differences are there because of political differences. USI officers are not just apolitical neutral actors that obey the will of the various mandates. USI officers can't implement every mandate fully, they also are able to take up issues that they are not mandated to do, so the politics of the officers is very relevent.

by USI member Mon Apr 05, 2004 14:00

"Ben has clearly stated that he is no longer an active member of the Tory's so just leave it out will ye"

Do you really think anyone can just abandon their politics when they stop paying a subscription and throws out his membership card?

What motivated him to join the party? He obviously has political beliefs close to the party. He will still hold them whether or not he is formally a member of the party. These beliefs will effect how he does the job, therefore I thin people have a right to know what the political background of officers is.

by funny Mon Apr 05, 2004 14:48

and has anyone tried to find out what political beliefs Heledd, Layne and Emma are? alot of decisions will be made by officer board as a whole, not just Ben. are they are Tory's?

by JOhn Mon Apr 05, 2004 14:49

A slight correction to USI member; Ben, because of his political beliefs, will engage in discussions with government and civil society to a advance the aims of his union and its members. Rory, would have enaged in publicity seeking tantrums to gain publicity for himself and his insignificant politcal party.

Ben will never run for public office in southern ireland, and probably won't be stupid enough to do it in NI either. Therefore he has no motive to advacne his own image above that of the UNion.

Rory's delusions that socialism is popular, even his kind, will mean that he'd have used his position to advance himself in order to set himself up for a public eleciton.

by Give em Hell Mon Apr 05, 2004 15:02

Heledd is a member of Plaidd Cymru. She is reputed to be on the right of that party.

by USI member Mon Apr 05, 2004 15:07

There is a myth that the only career one can get out of politics through elected office. Being a political hack and being elected in SUs are used as ways of publicising yourself within the party ranks which opens up jobs all over the place, civil service, private sector, legal profession, medical profession, in the sports organisations.....

Rory and other socialists can't do this. Socialists do not have members in these powerful positions in society so can't really use their party affiliation to get up any greasy pole. Actually their membership of a socialsit party would actually be a disadvantage to them. So I would say that socialsits can't be careerists but Tory's can be, even in the South.

Anyway, what being claimed is that Ben's politics are ight wing and therefore he will be a conservative influence on the USI, nowhere is anything really said about his motives for going for office

by USI Member Mon Apr 05, 2004 15:31

if anyone was around Becky Morgans (Fenian Street, the irony!) they may have heard Ben Archibald singing god save the queen at the top of his voice for around an hour! at least one irish republican stood horrified looking on. It was unbeleivable. he was quoted to say "if i had a vote, which i don't, i certainly wouldn't of voted for him" to which Ben replied "i've won now, its gone past the point of rescue!"

Ladies and Gentlemen....the future President of USI...Ben Archibald.

by Another USI Member Mon Apr 05, 2004 19:33

Nice touch, doing a kiss and tell on your mates after a night on the pints. You should be proud of yourself at the cutting edge of intellectual journalism.

He sang it once, m8. And he was hardly on duty. he was with his (sacked) friends and (sacked) girlfriend, whom he had come from Belfast to wish all the best, most of whom thought it was amusing.

And as eny fule kno, he's not averse to breaking into songs from around the world at the drop of a hat. His renditions of 'Fields of Athenry' are well known, and his 'Les Marsaillaises".

Let the guy sing his favourite song to his girlfriend. He'll have to learn Amhán Na bhFiann soon enough lol

by bf shinner. Tue Apr 06, 2004 11:23

as the republican in question i can assure you that i was not to horrified. i will get over it. i was more affected by my inability to get out of a taxi on my own. that was the real concern for me.
P.s Ben you have a lovely voice, you should use it when ever you want.

by Working Class Hero Tue Apr 06, 2004 14:38

I heard that Ben has now joined the Monster Raving Loony Party. Out go the USI Rugby Shirts and in come the Top Hats, Clown Shoes and Flowery Jackets......Each National Council will begin with a rendition of Monty Pythons "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life" and all Elections will now be held with a mandatory "Pie Throwing/Eating" Competition.
You have been warned....

by Swizzler Matlow Tue Apr 06, 2004 15:59

A furore has begun amongst suited toffs at Conservative Central Office in London;

Ben Achibald has joined the SWSS.

Beginning his transformation from unrepentant right wing tory to lunatic lefty, the Northern Area Officer shouted "One Solution: Revolution'. Tearing off his Donna Karan jacket to reveal his Che Guevara T-shirt stained witht he sweat and blood of the workers, he attacked a Garda and smashed a number of small businesses, taking care to bludgeon entrepreneurs and other parasitic exploiters of the oppressed working class.

Senior tories are calling Ben all sorts of names; he has become variously 'that chap from Ulster', 'that tallish one with the funny accent' and 'that fucking left wing bastard'/

The move coincides with Brendon Ferron's somersault out of a taxi and his rendition, on Lower Mount Street, of 'The Red Flag My Gracious Queen Wore'

Swizzler

by Ben Joins Wed Apr 07, 2004 13:31

In a shock move yesterday, the Conservative Party have approached Rory Ahearne to join them. One Tory insider was quoted as saying "If they're gonna take one of ours, by God we will have to retaliate! For too long we have lost members to the left and we must, as the empire once did, strike back! We will recruit them on the streets at mayday, we will recruit them as they boycott some cafe for not having enough left handed mugs and are therefore are discriminating against a large group of individuals!! We Will recruit!".

Meanwhile the Monster Raving Loony Party have graciously accepted Ben's application for membership and celebrated by having a jolly good tea party with none other than the Mad Hatter and the White Rabbit.

by Swizzler Matlow Wed Apr 07, 2004 16:37

In a shock move, some believe prompted by the presence of quaaludes in his vicinity, Ben Archibald has been arrested for beating the shit out of a duffel-coat wearing socialist in the middle of a Snow Patrol concert.

Some have blamed the trauma of converting between three political parties diametrically opposed to each other, known by the medical profession as Headuparse Novascotiae; his recent membership of the SWSS and the Monster Raving Loony Party, coupled with his departure, apparently two thousand years ago, fromt he Conservative party, made him fire up with rage and clobber the poor Labour Youth member.

The member, a Bernardo Campalot from Chontae Ciarrai, was heard to exclaim "hit me harder, daddy! Hit me harder!" and then go off on a rant about how awful Fianna Fail are.

One Irish republican looked on, unaware that anythign was happening. "Would you like to buy an easter lily", he asked one of our reporters, before throwing himself on the cold, wet ground.

The night's fingers stroked the streets of dublin with their inky dark. Soaked to the bone, the rebel turned to the taxi driver.

"See you in hell, motherfucker' he said, throwing two primed grenades into the rusted Cheverolet.

The lights flickered as the big car burst into an orgy of flame and explosion; the scene seemed quite erotic to Archibald.

"I think this has all gone too far" exclaimed Will Priestley.

He was right.

by Bernardo Campalot Tue Apr 13, 2004 15:55

'Hit me harder Daddy'. I was unaware that Ben was my Daddy. Actually I think that he is younger than me, so go figure and I have never had a Daddy fixation, so bit of an old problemo there.
Amusing though that in the end the whole thread descends to pure comedy. But than maybe student life is just comedy and student unions are the biggest comedy of the lot.
signing off (weary, but not beaten!)
Bernard