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Andrew Feinberg
White Home Correspondent
The function could also be unpaid and largely ceremonial, however it stays among the many most esteemed positions in British public life.
From Tory grandees to the odd member of the landed gentry, the listing of Oxford chancellors can at occasions learn like a who’s who of the UK’s storied previous.
Among the most well-known figures in British historical past have occupied the function, together with Oliver Cromwell and the Duke of Wellington, to newer figures reminiscent of Harold Macmillan and the incumbent, Chris Patten.
Former Conservative chief William Hague and imprisoned ex-Pakistan prime minister Imran Khan are among the many 30 candidates to have thrown their hat within the ring for the place.
If profitable, Lord Hague can be the thirty sixth William to carry the submit, whereas if Elish Angiolini gained, she would the primary girl.
Round 250,000 college workers and alumni will vote within the election subsequent month, after Lord Patten introduced his retirement earlier this yr.
Right here, The Unbiased takes a take a look at the frontrunners vying to change into the subsequent chancellor of the celebrated college.
William Hague
Former Conservative Celebration chief Lord Hague confirmed in August that he’ll run to change into Oxford College’s subsequent chancellor.
Lord Hague attended Oxford, finding out philosophy, politics and economics at Magdalen School.
Following the landslide 1997 basic election defeat to Tony Blair’s Labour, Lord Hague was elected chief of the Conservative Celebration, changing John Main.
Peter Mandelson
Labour grandee Peter Mandelson introduced his candidacy on the finish of July.
Chatting with the Monetary Occasions, the previous Labour enterprise secretary, stated: “I do really feel passionately about universities and given I studied at Oxford it’s an essential place to me.”
The previous EU commerce commissioner studied philosophy, politics and economics at St Catherine’s School.
In April 2016, Lord Mandelson grew to become chancellor of Manchester Metropolitan College. He has introduced he will probably be stepping down from this function.
Elish Angiolini
Elish Angiolini is a distinguished lawyer and former solicitor basic of Scotland.
She is presently professional vice-chancellor of the College of Oxford and has served because the principal of St Hugh’s School, Oxford since 2012.
Girl Angiolini has performed unbiased inquiries for governments, together with into the homicide of Sarah Everard by a serving police officer.
If profitable, she can be the primary girl chancellor for the reason that submit was established in 1224.
Imran Khan
Pakistan’s former prime minister Imran Khan is working for chancellor of Oxford College from jail.
Mr Khan is presently imprisoned in Pakistan whereas he contests a collection of authorized challenges, principally involving corruption prices, all of which his supporters denounce as being politically motivated.
The previous star cricketer, 72, was prime minister from 2018 to 2022 earlier than being ousted in a no-confidence movement.
Mr Khan, an Oxford alumnus, served as chancellor of the College of Bradford for eight years.
… and the ‘anti-woke outsider’: Reverend Matthew Firth
Anglican clergyman Matthew Firth is the self-professed “anti-establishment” and “anti-woke” candidate.
He stated that he’ll castigate the college if it “walks the way in which of wokery”.
“At a time when so many nice tutorial establishments are being ruined by woke ideology, I’d search to name the College of Oxford to stroll a special path: a path of reality, unity, magnificence and goodness, within the mild of the Lord,” he advised The Occasions.
“Ought to the college or any faculty or division stroll the way in which of wokery, or ought to any a part of the college erode freedom of speech and tutorial inquiry, I’d supply a robust public rebuke.”
Reverend Firth studied astrophysics at Magdalene School, Cambridge College, and theology at Wycliffe Corridor, Oxford.
The election
The total listing of candidates will probably be introduced in early October.
Voting will probably be held on-line from 28 October. Solely Oxford graduates and members of the college’s congregation, together with tutorial workers, are capable of vote.
The 5 candidates with probably the most votes will enter a second spherical on 17 November. The brand new chancellor will probably be introduced the next week.
The chancellor chairs the college committee, appointing the vice-chancellor and is concerned in fundraising, advocacy and oversight.
