Conservative Society Chairman resigns citing alleged abuse

On Saturday, April 1, the Chairman of the University of Warwick Conservative Association (UWCA), Nathan Stone, resigned citing alleged abuse from some of its members.

In a now-deleted ‘open letter’ addressed to UWCA members on the society’s Instagram page, the former Chairman claimed that the society was becoming “something I simply do not want to represent”.

Stone cited the recent AGM as the source of much of his abuse, claiming that the run-up to it saw “intimidation… bullying… and backstabbing” from a hostile faction within the society.

Despite having won the Chairmanship, Stone claims that a “very small but very vocal” minority actively worked to “side-line” him and others to a point where it became “impossible” for the executive to function.

I think this comes down to the fact that I simply do not align with their perception of what a ‘Tory’ is. I was routinely mocked for my accent, for living in Essex, for being comprehensively educated, and for being perceived to be ‘working class’. I was called a ‘grunt’, a ‘prole’, ‘cannon fodder’, and worse

– Nathan Stone

This reportedly included a plot to impeach him, which arose “within hours” of the election result. Stone alleges that this was not on the grounds of misconduct, but supposedly because he “was not the candidate they wanted”.

Stone believes that much of the resistance to his Chairmanship was driven by prejudice, stating: “I think this comes down to the fact that I simply do not align with their perception of what a ‘Tory’ is. I was routinely mocked for my accent, for living in Essex, for being comprehensively educated, and for being perceived to be ‘working class’. I was called a ‘grunt’, a ‘prole’, ‘cannon fodder’, and worse”.

As a consequence of recent events, Stone has stated that he fears that “the association will backslide into something very niche and exclusionary”.

However, other members of the UWCA have stated that Stone’s claims represent a distortion of the facts.

For instance, one member active within the UWCA, who wishes to remain anonymous, alleges that “the idea that opposition to Nathan’s Chairmanship was driven by prejudices about his background is ridiculous”.

The only person who ever viewed Nathan’s background as an impediment to becoming Chairman was Nathan himself, and it is unfortunate that this preoccupation led to valid criticisms of decisions being ignored based on his own, often incorrect judgement of others’ backgrounds

– Anonymous UWCA Member

This member also stated that “the vast majority of the UWCA membership went to state schools, including Nathan’s two immediate predecessors as Chairman, and all three candidates for the position at the 2023 AGM”.

“The UWCA has members from a wide variety of backgrounds, and both support for and opposition to Nathan’s chairmanship came from members across the distribution.”

Consequently, this member concluded that “the only person who ever viewed Nathan’s background as an impediment to becoming Chairman was Nathan himself, and it is unfortunate that this preoccupation led to valid criticisms of decisions being ignored based on his own, often incorrect judgement of others’ backgrounds”.

Another member, who also wishes to remain anonymous, believes that many of Stone’s concerns were unfounded, given “the fact that Nathan was not facing a no-confidence vote”.

“In a society with rigid internal democracy the reality of members voicing their opinions on necessary changes shouldn’t come as a surprise to the chairman.”

The comments I made in my letter are not directed at every member – it’s directed to a very small but very vocal and very active minority, who do genuinely ruin it for everyone

– Nathan Stone

Stone has nevertheless emphasised that his comments are directed at a small minority and has since praised the leadership of the previous executive.

For instance, Stone asserts that his predecessor as Chairman and the two former Deputy Chairmen “deserve credit” for their “fantastic work on opening the society up to as many people as possible”.

“The comments I made in my letter are not directed at every member – it’s directed to a very small but very vocal and very active minority, who do genuinely ruin it for everyone.”

Following Stone’s resignation, one of the society’s Deputy Chairmen – Tom Chaloner – has become Acting Chairman and will remain in place until a successor has been elected.

The current UWCA exec has been contacted but declined to comment.