groups to boost representation on the BYC executive to an all time high of three, including a vice-chairman position and a further representative on the BYC International Committee. A year the YCs came under pressure and although Pedley reported success in defeating the National Organisation of Labour Students (NOLS) candidate for the chairmanship and electing two Young Conservatives to the executive, he warned of "disturbing trends". "The National Officers [of the YCs] are particularly concerned at the left-ward drift on political and social issues, such as disarmament, prostitution and unemployment. There is an inevitable question mark over the future of BYC following the departure of the extremely able chairman, John Collins (Scouts). It is hoped the new incumbent, Donny O'Rourke will be as pragmatic." A year later, Pedley concluded the British Youth Council was under the control of its non-executive BYC staff members such as John Denham and Rex Osbourne who owed their allegiances to the left and were manipulating the organisation to take an increasingly anti-government line. The Young Conservatives warned the new leadership that if they continued on their path, they would withdraw. In 1984, the Young Conservative National Advisory Committee voted overwhelming to withdraw from the British Youth Council to deprive the organisation of legitimacy. Following the Young Conservative decision, the Federation of Conservative Students followed suit. The FCS had long argued the BYC's funding should be cut. Previously, Picton and Pedley had defended the organisation and the funding had remained in place. After the decision to withdraw, Pedley resisted pressure from party chairman, John Gummer, who had been lobbied by various youth organisations to reverse the YC decision. Pedley withdrew his support for BYC funding and wrote to selected Conservative MPs explaining the Young Conservative decision and ensuring the subject of funding was taken up in the House of Commons. European Youth Framework (Standing Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe) As part of the Helsinki agreement, the Young Conservatives were involved in a parallel youth 'framework' of western youth organisations and Soviet bloc youth groups. Pedley attended a framework meeting in the Netherlands and was critical of attempts to find a 'third way' between communism and free enterprise and participated in a demonstration from the conference floor in support of Solidarity, the Polish opposition organisation. Far right infiltration In 1981, Pedley backed up Picton's warnings about right-wing activity in some Young Conservative branches and in