Debate Over Reinstating the British Empire Sparks Protests
Photo Courtesy: KCLCA Instagram
On February 7th, King's College London Conservative Association (KCLCA) announced on Instagram an upcoming debate, co-hosted with UCL Tories, on 9 February.
The post outlines the debate’s “promising motions,” including -“[this house would] restore the British Empire.” Subsequently, it indicates that “the event will operate strictly off the record, under Chatham House Rules.” The event stemmed great reaction and controversy.
A representative of Liberate KCL, a left-wing society, commented: “We are disgusted and appalled that the student union allowed this openly racist event to go ahead and that Caroline Crawford, Head of King's College London Student Union (KCLSU) governance, refused to acknowledge that the empire was genocidal”.
They maintained that KCLCA has gone “beyond… your standard right-wing student group; promoting the British Empire is promoting genocide and white supremacy,” the representative labels them as “neo-Nazi [extremists],” highlighting members’ “fascist” TikToks, support of eugenics, and rhetoric of threats and slurs.
KCLCA’s conduct has not only riled up left-wing groups. Kings Business Review reports that an “anonymous inside source” revealed disagreements between UCL Tories and KCLCA in the lead-up to the event “as only the KCLCA were comfortable with the topic.” UCL Tories’ desire to abandon the motion was overridden by KCLCA members “hurling vulgar and sexist abuse,” allegedly calling the chair of the UCL Tories a“weak bitch”
At the debate itself, UCL, University of Westminster (UOW), and London School of Economics (LSE) refused to discuss the motion, but KCLCA reportedly insisted despite protests, arguing that “it was a KCL event.”
UCL Tories then posted a statement on their Instagram story “UCL Tories stands firmly in opposition to the second motion.” They further added: “We were not consulted on this motion when it was decided, and we requested a change that was [initially] agreed upon…This motion was then changed back by KCL, and [spoke assaulting language], and UCL, LSE and UOW conservatives staged a joint walkout.”
Roar, the main students newspaper at King’s College, reports that following the walkout, KCLCA, undeterred, proceeded to debate the motion, but were eventually “evicted by UCL security.” KCLCA has not publicly responded to comment requests, but an anonymous source disclosed to Roar: “it was a debate so obviously I don’t see the issue. And we’re joking around. Student Society. Nobody is advocating for exploiting 21% of the world.”
In a leaked audio recording of the event shared with Pi News, a former LSE student can be heard saying “that’s terrible,” receiving the response: “that’s really not that much” and “if you want to throw your politics off.” A UOW student then responds: “This is fucked up. You’re damaging our futures because of your nonsense and your bullshit - it’s fucking stupid.”
KCL-affiliated individuals can be heard voicing their disapproval, with one member asking: “Is there anyone else who would like to leave? Because I’m afraid of communists,” and another, who joked that anyone who had “no problems with the motion… is not a communist.” The room responded with laughter.
It was further disclosed that individuals involved in the debate hold prominent leadership positions in university conservative societies, with at least one identified party serving as a parliamentary researcher.
An additional anonymous KCLCA insider told Roar they considered the motion “extremely offensive,” claiming debates have become “rather unpleasant” this year as the society has “[strayed] from the values of the conservative party,” becoming “extremely hostile towards people with differing opinions.”
Ultimately, the source concluded: “I sympathise with the UCL and LSE conservative associations and am appalled by [KCLCA’s] actions… I believe the association owes an apology to their counterparts and the wider King’s community.”
Liberate KCL has shamed KCLSU’s inaction as “complicity” and will be protesting again on 1st of March.