Conservative students have expressed outrage after they were not invited to hear David Cameron give a major speech on the European Union at their university.
The Prime Minister, described as a "political juggernaut" by one angry young Tory, gave a speech and took part in a question-and-answer session at Exeter University with students invited by Vice Chancellor Sir Steve Smith.
However, while all 15 committee members of Exeter Labour Students were invited, the university's Conservative Association was not sent a group invitation, the student newspaper Exeposé reported, although it added some individual members did manage to attend.
Stephen Hawkins, a third year Exeter student and Conservative City Council Candidate for nearby Exwick, expressed his disbelief and anger, saying he could “hardly believe that the Conservative Association committee, let alone society members, have not been at the very least invited”.
“What should have been a fantastic, shining opportunity to meet someone that many of the University of Exeter Conservative Association see as a political juggernaut, has been shrouded with confusion, miscommunication, and opaqueness," he told Exeposé.
John Chilvers, president of Exeter Labour Students, told The Independent that all of their 15-strong committee received invites, with the Liberal Democrat Society also receiving a spot.
"The divisions in the Tory party are so stark at the moment that the PM can’t even invite his own party to the talk," he said.
"I think Cameron must have realised that in Exeter there is only one student political group that is out all year round making a difference in the community - and it’s Labour Students.
"It’s about time that we got the recognition we deserve and I’m pleased this has come from the top.”
Protestors were picketing the event, with signs including “Tories like their money like their refugees - offshore” and “Steel workers (used to) pay more tax than you”, in reference to the recent revelation in the Panama Papers that the Prime Minister’s father was the director of an offshore fund that allegedly paid no UK tax in 30 years.
Some students took to Twitter to complain that the Prime Minister had visited during the Easter holidays, when the majority of students are at home, not on campus.
