Warwick Tory Chair resigns after conclusion of ‘Nazi anthem’ investigation

The Chair of the Warwick Conservative Association has resigned weeks after the end of a University investigation into misconduct that led to sanctions on the group.

Lewis Wakeford, who had been Chairman of the society from March 2024, stood down from his position in October, The Boar can reveal.

He has been replaced by Ben Jackson, previously Deputy Political Chairman. The society’s executive has since had a wider clear-out at an “Extraordinary General Meeting”, with Mr Jackson the only remaining member from the previous exec.

A senior Young Conservative suggested to The Boar that a “Jenrick coup” had taken place

Mr Wakeford cited “burnout” as the reason for his decision to step back from the role. However, neither he nor the Warwick Tories themselves have denied rumours that the former chair was forced out of his position.

A senior Young Conservative suggested to The Boar that a “Jenrick coup” had taken place, in which Wakeford was pressured to leave by former society members because of his support for a moderate candidate in the ongoing Conservative leadership election.

Wakeford had vocally supported the now-eliminated Tom Tugendhat, whereas the rest of the society tended towards the hardline candidates in the contest, Robert Jenrick and Kemi Badenoch. Allegedly, this split ultimately led to his departure.

When asked about the rumours, Ben Jackson, the new Chairman, declined to respond. He instead sought to draw a line under the three-month-long saga that has plagued the society since footage first leaked online in July of attendees at a Warwick Tory event singing a German Nazi-era anthem.

As the new Chairman of the society, neither myself nor the rest of the newly elected exec will allow these individuals to join our alumni network or attend any future events

Ben Jackson, Chairman, Warwick Conservative Association

The subsequent backlash led to the society’s suspension from the Students’ Union (SU) and a months-long investigation that ultimately reinstated the group, with some sanctions.

Mr Jackson said: “Following the conclusion of the independent and summer-long investigation into the 2024 end-of-year dinner, I want to thank the University and Students’ Union for their thoroughness in taking action against those individuals responsible.

“As the new Chairman of the society, neither myself nor the rest of the newly elected exec will allow these individuals to join our alumni network or attend any future events. As a new exec team, we are clear that such behaviour is not tolerated or welcome within our society, and condemn the behaviour of those individuals responsible and involved in the incident last academic year.”

Jackson confirmed that the society would be fully cooperating with the antisemitism, islamophobia, and active bystander training mandated by the SU.

He added that he was looking forward to working with the new society exec and membership, to ensure that “there continues to be a space for right-of-centre representation on campus, with many speaker events, debates, and campaigning sessions in the coming weeks.”

Wakeford’s departure, consensual or otherwise, has caused unhappiness among other student Tory groups nationally.

At the Cardiff University Conservative Association, there was significant dismay at Wakeford leaving. Tom Kelly, President of the Society, paid tribute to the former Warwick Chair as: “Very sound and sane. A genuine good voice.”

It’s trust, responsibility, and pragmatism which will win us back, not chasing blind ideology. And Warwick has just been swept up in that, unfortunately

Tom Kelly, President, Cardiff Uni Conservative Association

He continued that Wakeford was a “very, very tolerant individual and very, very politically aware”, and that he was someone who tried to avoid ideological arguments within the party.

“Lewis rejected the ideas of Thatcherism and ‘Wets’ and ‘Dries’ because it all means nothing today, and this obsession with labels is only damaging the party even more. He stayed away from labels which upset people.”

The Conservative Party’s wipeout loss in this year’s general election has prompted a period of soul-searching for its supporters, and no less so for the party’s student movement.

Polling data that found only one in seven 18–24-year-olds voted Conservative has sparked a debate over how best the movement can win back young minds, into which Kelly weighed in.

“Chasing blind ideology, like what’s going on with Jenrick and Badenoch, isn’t going to win us back our support. At the end of the day, it’s trust, responsibility, and pragmatism which will win us back, not chasing blind ideology. And Warwick has just been swept up in that, unfortunately.”