United and Cecil Club facts for kids
| Abbreviation | U&C |
|---|---|
| Named after | Robert Gascoyne-Cecil, 3rd Marquess of Salisbury |
| Formation | 1949 |
| Merger of | United Club (1881) and Cecil Club (1882) |
| Type | Members' association |
| Purpose | Raise funds for members of the club standing in marginal seats |
| Headquarters | Winkfield, Berkshire |
|
Membership (2020)
|
Approx 400 |
| Affiliations | Conservative Party |
The United and Cecil Club (U&C) is a special group in Britain. It is a dining club that has strong connections to the Conservative Party. The club was formed in 1949 when two older clubs joined together. It is known for giving a lot of money to the Conservative Party, especially to politicians running in "marginal seats." These are places where elections are usually very close.
Contents
A Look at Their History
How the Club Started
The United and Cecil Club was created from two older groups. Both of these groups started in the 1880s. One group, which later became the United Club, began in 1881. Its goal was to help raise money for Conservative politicians in areas where winning an election was tough.
The other group, the Cecil Club, started in 1882. It was formed by people who supported the Prime Minister at the time, Robert Gascoyne-Cecil, 3rd Marquess of Salisbury. This club also published a magazine called National Review.
Merging for a Stronger Voice
Both the United Club and the Cecil Club were important places for Conservative ideas for many years. After World War II, a famous leader named Winston Churchill decided to bring them together. He was the president of both clubs at the time. In 1949, they merged to form the United and Cecil Club, making it a stronger group.
How the Club Works
Who Can Join?
The United and Cecil Club keeps its list of members private. However, in 2007, the club shared some information. They said they had about 400 members. Each member paid an annual fee of £100 to be part of the club.
Dinner Meetings and Speakers
The club holds meetings once a month when the British Parliament is working. They have eight dinners each year. Four of these special dinners take place in private rooms at the House of Commons.
During these dinners, important Conservative politicians give speeches. Famous speakers have included former Prime Ministers like John Major and David Cameron. In 2006, some other politicians questioned if using the House of Commons for these dinners was allowed. An investigation found that the club paid for the meals at cost. It also confirmed that the club only raised money at events held outside of Parliament.
The club's official address is listed in two different places. One is at a stables in Iver, Buckinghamshire. The other is at a riding school in Berkshire.
Helping Politicians with Donations
Supporting Close Elections
The United and Cecil Club is known for giving money to Conservative politicians. An investigation before the 2015 United Kingdom general election found that the U&C was a major donor. They gave a lot of money to Conservative candidates in the ten "marginal seats" across the country. These are areas where the election results are often very close.
Between 2010 and 2014, the club's biggest donations went to places like Weaver Vale, Bury North, Carlisle, and Cheadle. The Conservative candidates won or kept their seats in all these areas in the 2015 election. The club also helped raise money for the Scottish Conservative Party during the campaign for the 2014 Scottish independence referendum.
Overall, the club gave over £712,000 to the Conservatives between 2010 and 2015. This made them one of the biggest donors to the party during that time.
Understanding Donation Rules
In the United Kingdom, there are rules about how political donations are announced. The Electoral Commission sets these rules. For example, donations over £1,500 to a local political party usually need to be publicly announced.
However, for groups like the U&C, which are called "members' associations," the rules are a bit different. These groups are mainly made up of members from one political party. Donations to them only need to be announced if they are over £7,500. Even if this money then goes to local parties, it might not be announced publicly in the same way. Some groups have said that this rule allows donors to give large amounts of money to the Conservatives without their names being widely known. It also lets them meet senior politicians at the dinners.
See also
- Midlands Industrial Council
