Conservative Party Archive: Conservative Central Office - Young Conservatives

Collection

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Comprises the following papers:

Young Conservatives National Advisory Committee
Policy Reports and Working Groups
Officers' Papers
Annual Conference
Events
Membership, Recruitment and Internal Elections
Campaigns
Training
Publicity
Legal and Disciplinary Matters
External Relations
Area Branches
Briefings
Financial Papers

Dates

Creation: 1946-1995

Extent

4.31 Linear metres (64 boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Conditions Governing Access

General access conditions apply to this material.

Preferred Citation

Oxford, Bodleian Libraries, Conservative Party Archive [followed by shelfmark, e.g. CCO 506/15/1].

Please see our help page for further guidance on citing archives and manuscripts.

Full range of shelfmarks:

CCO 506/14-21; CCO 506/23-24; CCO 506/33-42

Collection ID (for staff)

CPA CCO 506/C

Additional Description

Abstract

Archive of the Young Conservatives, 1946-1995.

Biographical / Historical

The Young Conservatives evolved out of the Junior Imperial League and was more closely integrated with Party structure at every level. It was formed as a National Advisory Committee of the National Union, with Area Advisory Committees at Area level and branches in most constituencies. In its early years it proved phenomenally successful, with over 1,000 branches formed in its first 6 months, and 2,375 by its peak in December 1949. Thereafter membership dropped off, from 160,433 in 1949 to 27,500 in 1978, and 6-9,000 in 1993. It catered for the 16-30 year old age group. In 1998 it was closed and replaced by a new organisation, Conservative Future, but was relaunched again as the Young Conservatives in 2018.

Custodial History

The Conservative Party Archive (CPA) was established as a source for academic study at the Bodleian Library in 1978 by an agreement made between the University of Oxford and the Conservative Party, and brought together surviving historic papers of the Party previously held in various locations including Newcastle University Library and the former Conservative Central Office in Smith Square, London. Since 1996, ownership and financial responsibility for the CPA has been vested in the Conservative Party Archive Trust. The CPA preserves the records of all three areas of Party organisation: parliamentary, voluntary and professional. It is recognised by the Conservative Party as the official repository for its historic records and those of affiliated organisations, and receives new material on a regular basis.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

The Conservative Party.

Related Materials

For Young Conservatives newsletters and magazines, see the Youth series in 'Conservative Party Archive: Printed and Published Material: Conservative Party sectional-interest newsletters, journals and periodicals' (PUB M). For Young Conservatives pamphlets, see the Young Conservatives series in 'Conservative Party Archive: Printed and Published Material: Conservative Party (and affiliated groups) pamphlets' (PUB B). For papers on Young Conservatives Advisory Committees at Area Level, see various Young Conservatives sub-series in 'Conservative Party Archive: Area Offices' (ARE).