Port and Policy Standing Orders

Preface to the Standing Orders Port and Policy constitutes an integral part of the Durham University Conservative and Unionist Association’s schedule of events. Held fortnightly, it is a repository in which the philosophical and political opinions of the Association’s members are placed and subsequently challenged; a testament to the Association’s long-standing commitment to freedom of expression and open debate.

It remains necessary, however, to impose a general scaffolding on which the flowers of rhetoric can later grow. In order to avoid any ambiguity regarding the limits of permitted speech and the powers of the chair, it is this Association’s resolve to therefore publish these standing orders. This publication will serve to support the fluent operation of these often invigorating evenings, as well be a steadfast companion to future Political Officers.

Melchior Raywood Political Officer 2023/24

Standing Orders for Port and Policy 1. These standing orders are to be made available to any individual upon request. The masculine pronoun is used to refer to all genders.

2. The chairman is responsible for moderating the discussions which occur at Port and Policy events, with respect to these standing orders. He should always strive to facilitate civil debate and the spirited exchange of views; creating an environment in which all present are able to feel comfortable in expressing their opinions on issues at hand. a. The chairman at all Port and Policy events is ex officio the Political Officer of the Durham University Conservative and Unionist Association (DUCUA). i. The Political Officer may, in his absence, appoint a temporary chairman to assume his duties. b. The Political Officer of DUCUA is responsible for the writing of the motions to be debated at Port and Policy events. These are to be transmitted to the DUCUA committee with reasonable advance. c. In enabling the chairman to effectively honour his duties as a moderator of debates, he is empowered with the following prerogatives. i. Temporarily or permanently prohibiting of one or more individuals from attending future Port and Policy events; ii. Eviction of one or more attendees; iii. Censure of one or more attendees; iv. Adjournment or termination of a given Port and Policy event; v. Confiscation of alcohol. d. The chairman is to use an object of suitable acoustic quality as a gavel in the name of good order and moderation. i. A gavel may, indeed, adopt many forms such as a cavalry sabre. e. The chairman is not to participate in any debate bar the exception which follows. i. The chairman may only speak on one motion per academic term. On which occasion the chair will be occupied by a predesignated person for the duration of the debate. f.

The chairman is to take a vote count after every motion and transmit these results to the Publicity Officer of DUCUA for subsequent publishing.

g. Any decision related to the prohibition of individuals attending Port and Policy events made by a chairman at a given point in time can be reversed by the President or Political Officer of DUCUA of the day.

3. The audio or video recording of debates is strictly prohibited, with the exception provided in clause 3(a), which follows. a. The only members of the Association permitted to make audio or video recordings is the Publicity Officer of DUCUA, or those named by him to do so.

4. No utterance or utterances of an individual at a Port and Policy event may be attributed to him after the event, with the exception of the chair who will always be made accountable to his words.

5. Every attendee is entitled to express his point of view on any political or philosophical matter at Port and Policy events without censure or hindrance, with the exceptions provided in 5(a), which follow. a. The following are prohibited at every Port and Policy event. i. Incitement of harm or malice; ii. Defamation; iii. Fraud; iv. Gross obscenity; v. Fighting words; vi. Threats; vii. Any legal impediment to freedom of expression under the Human Rights Act 1998 and the Public Order Act 1986. b. In the event of any aforementioned transgression, the chair may use the powers delineated in 2(c) to resolve the incident.

6. Port is to be provided at the Association’s expense in reasonable quantities. a. Port may be provided alongside the following beverages, but always as the dominant elixir by volume. i. Whiskey when a motion of a Caledonian nature is being debated; ii. Mulled wine during Advent; iii. French wine of vineyards East of Paris; iv. American alcohol during periods of great depression; v. Vodka when a motion of Russian nature is being discussed. b. The loyal toast will be given by a member of the DUCUA committee, after the debates. i. The loyal toast can precede the national anthem, at the request of any attendee.

7. It is the prerogative of any member of the DUCUA committee to give grace before or after the debates, should the chairman not already intend on doing so.

8. The dress code for all Port and Policy events is to be black tie, optionally with academic gowns, bar the exception which follows. a. The wearing of the following is permitted at the chair’s discretion. i. White tie or tailcoats; ii. Lounge suits; iii. Eccentric outfits; iv. Cultural dress; b. Gentlemen who present themselves to the chamber without some form of tie may be asked to source one for the evening’s use prior to entering.

9. To assist with the cost of hosting Port and Policy events, the Treasurer of DUCUA may impose separate tariffs upon entry for members and non-members.

10. This clause details matters of procedure during speeches. a. A Point of Information (POI) is directed to the speaker and must be phrased in the form of a question. A POI relates only to the content of the speaker’s discourse. It is accepted and heard at the speaker’s discretion. Any person may offer a POI. These may be given standing or in a sedentary position. b. A Point of Order (PO) is directed to the chair and must be heard. A PO is raised if there is a suspected breach of procedural regulations, such as these standing orders.

Any person may offer a PO, and the chairman must accept it even if there is a speech under way. A PO must be given standing. c. All speeches must be delivered without the use of an electronic reading aid, except at the discretion of the chairman. d. All speeches must be delivered standing, except at the discretion of the chairman.

11. The chairman or Social Secretary of DUCUA may impose a fine of some quantity of port on any member of DUCUA for the following offences. a. Gross impropriety; b. Social misdemeanours; c. Mistakes causing great inconveniences; d. Concealment of Association port; e. Theft of the chairman’s gavel; f.

Any violation of these standing orders.

12. While the authoritative interpretation of these standing orders is that of the chairman’s, the committee of DUCUA can, on a popular vote, overrule the chairman’s interpretation.

13. These standing orders may be modified only by a two thirds majority vote of the committee of DUCUA.

Signed and ratified, 27th February in the second year of the reign of our Sovereign Lord Charles III MMXXIV, by the Committee of the Durham University Conservative and Unionist Association.