Furious Tories accuse KCL Con Soc President of supporting UKIP

Conservative Society President Ben Judge has written an article for London Student bashing mainstream parties – and praising UKIP.

Unbelievably, the article was published on the same day as the start of campaigning.

Now his own society members are calling him out. Tory VP Josh Boyle says: “he has betrayed me, betrayed his members, and betrayed his principles.”

Ben Judge – The rest of his body is in hot water.

The article, which claimed that UKIP “offers charisma and conviction in the space which the bland Westminster bubble has failed to”, has caused such outrage that according to London Student deputy editor Jacob Diamond: “Conservative Future were extremely angry. I was informed that the head allegedly spoke to the office of Grant Schapps (Party Chairman) and may have brought up this issue.”

And if that wasn’t enough, Judge also slammed Tory and Labour youth wing members, describing them as “boring, excessive suit wearing, bland creatures.”

The piece was originally titled “Why I’m thinking of defecting to UKIP”, but it was later changed. According to Judge, the original title was “an editorial choice of title, not mine”.

Fail.

Diamond confirmed this, but added: “Before publication, Ben Judge did show a suspiciously keen interest in highlighting UKIP’s strengths. Was he attracted to UKIP? Probably. That’s why we published it.”

‘We don’t just wear suits!’

The society’s Vice President, Josh Boyle, responded furiously, claiming Judge “has betrayed me, betrayed his members, and betrayed his principles”.

He said: “Anyone who seriously countenances abandoning their comrades and their principles for a rag-tag bunch of political opportunists because it “would be fun” is just as venal and opportunistic as the party they defect to.”

“To write an article openly criticising one’s party on the very day they launch their general election campaign displays appalling narcissism at the very least.”

Josh Boyle – Only a fringe and a sombrero could hide the feels.

Meanwhile, dissent amongst the Rah ranks has surfaced fiercely, with one Con Soc member telling politics website Right of Centre: “The members of the Society are sick of Ben’s leadership.”

“He treats us as his personal subjects and insists on holding port and policy debates on stupid issues like fox-hunting. It’s putting people off joining. The sooner he goes, the better.”

But Ben Judge hit back, saying: “Membership has doubled since I took over in March 2013… my article was not an article to celebrate UKIP, but an objective exploration of UKIP’s charisma and catering to voter convictions,”

Of course, this isn’t the first time the precarious president has caused controversy: past highlights include inviting UKIP’s Godfrey Bloom as a special guest to a society event, and backing a Labour candidate for president of KCLSU.

Speaking to The Tab, Alexandra Paterson, National Chair of Conservative Future, told us: “His comments clearly demonstrate an appalling lack of judgement.

“What he should be doing is pledging support to the Prime Minister in this crucial time for the Conservative Party.

“As we are now in a controlled election period, all those with positions of responsibility in the Conservative Party should act accordingly, with respect for voters and activists. We are dealing with the matter internally.”