About Us

Bath Conservative Future was originally founded in 2002 by Sam Dobbyn with a great deal of assistance from Cllr. Chris Watt. Chris became the first Patron of the society in 2003, followed by Sam in 2004. Bath Conservative Future’s current Patron is Fabian Richter, the Conservative Parliamentary Candidate for Bath. If you would like to join Bath Conservative Future, you can find joining information here.

Gavin Bishop

Chairman, Bath University Conservative Future

I am currently a 3rd year undergraduate at the University of Bath doing a masters in mechanical engineering. My home town is Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire.

I became active in politics since arriving at university but have had a lifelong interest in the subject which stems from the ineptitude of the current Labour government. I am Conservative because I believe in the freedom of the indidivual. It should be the government’s role to ensure that people can live their lives in safety without constant interference. The policy issues that most interest me are Development, Energy and Defense. Aside from politics I am an avid fencer and have recently taken up archery. In addition to this I am a big supporter of CAMRA at the University.

In the 2007 local elections I stood for the seat of Twerton in Bath & NES, managing to more than double the Conservative vote in the ward but this was still not enough to remove the sitting Lib Dem councillors from their heartland.

Florian Bay

Secretary, Bath University Conservative Future

I am currently a third year student studying for a Masters in Chemistry. Some people might wonder how a Frenchman (though I consider myself as Franco-British) ended up in the Conservative Party giving the current image of France abroad as a strike-ridden country and having an hostility to everything dubbed “Anglo-Saxon“.

I have been interested in politics from 2002 but only active since my arrival in Bath, I am a strong believer in flat rate taxation as an ideal system both in the United Kingdom and in France, on the same lines I favour the most simple forms of taxation and government, the simpler the better it is and more importantly the more efficient it is. Taxation and Economy are not however my only areas of interest, I am also passionate about finding the best way to distribute the government layers among the local authorities, the devolved assemblies and the central state; Defence, Immigration, Transportation and Environment are also important subjects for me and having lived in an area bordering ethnic ghettos I have quite strong opinions on the latter.

Apart from politics I am like Gavin; an amateur historian and my main interests are the history of Northern America and Franco-British history with a particular emphasis on the relationship between my two countries.

Darien Jay

Treasurer/Vice Chairman Bath University Conservative Future

Brought up in Bridgend, South Wales, I moved to Bath to study Politics with Economics. Currently a second year undergraduate, I made it one of my immediate aims to affiliate myself with the Bath CF, as for some time now I have been an ardent believer in ‘equality of opportunity’; something that I believe all true blues would agree.

I am starting to truly appreciate my surroundings at Bath; it’s a different world from my home town. Such differences I feel emphasise just what is wrong with our country, as some people have to work so much harder than others to achieve the same goals in life. I have written in the student paper advocating top-up fees and warning of the dangers of immigration.

Besides politics I have a growing interest in classic literature, all forms of sport, and am hoping to learn Latin in the summer; just because I can. I am also a big fan of the misunderstood politician Boris Johnson.

Chris Palmer

Administrator, Bath University Conservative Future

Well, I somehow found myself at Bath University studying for an economics-based course no less – a subject that I had vowed never to touch again. However, this year I changed course and managed to get out of that, so I’m just doing Politics now…

Was in campus accommodation last year. It was a bit grot; heating was sporadic at the best of times, the kitchen’s cooker never worked properly, and the bathroom leaked constantly – but I’m sure there’s far worse out there and I couldn’t complain… well, not too much anyway. Apparently they’ve refurbished it all this year. Just my luck.

Most political issues interest me, although Britain’s place in the European Union, immigration, crime and policing are probably at the fore. I try to be as politically active as possible; making sure that sometime in the distant future we elect a conservative Government. I have also been involved in a few online Conservative party-based projects of little and no real importance. They were fun though.

Andrew Bate

Member, Bath University Conservative Future

I am currently a third year undergraduate at the University of Bath doing a Masters degree in Mathematics, which has been my life long interest.

In my teenage years, I lived in Plymouth, where the main influences to my political opinions were my father, a town planner in local government, my A-level economics teacher (and part-time bus driver), and my 6th form tutor, an active member of Mebyon Kernow (the Cornish nationalists,) who I disagree with greatly. I am probably not as politically active as the other committee members; but I enjoy discussing about current affairs and hearing the opinions of others. My favourite topics include taxation, the economy, transport, and defence. I also enjoy some chess in my spare time.