Former Conservative leader William Hague has been elected as the new Chancellor of the University of Oxford, marking him as the 160th individual to hold this prestigious position since its inception. The announcement was made on November 28, 2024, following four rounds of online voting conducted among the university's staff and alumni, which is notable as it was the first time such a voting process was implemented.
Hague, who graduated from Magdalen College, Oxford, in 1982, secured his new role with 12,609 votes, surpassing Lady Elish Angiolini, who garnered 11,006 votes, and thwarting hopes for the university's first female chancellor. Angiolini, who led the inquiry on the tragic case of Sarah Everard, along with other notable candidates, had previously expressed ambition for the chancellorship.
Lord Hague expressed deep gratitude for the support received, stating, “Thank you to my fellow Oxonians for placing such confidence in me. I regard being elected as the Chancellor of our university as the greatest honour of my life.” His tenure will commence early next year and will last for ten years, succeeding Chris Patten, the last British governor of Hong Kong, who had held the position since 2003.
This appointment has been described as part of the university's long legacy, dating back to 1224. The Chancellor's duties are largely ceremonial but carry significant weight within the academic community, being the figurehead for various key ceremonies and overseeing the election of the vice-chancellor.
Throughout the election, 24,908 votes were cast across various rounds, with the majority being alumni and current staff members. The final voting employed the alternative transferable vote method, ensuring the elected candidate achieved over 50% of the votes. Early rounds saw candidates such as Peter Mandelson and Lord Dominic Grieve get eliminated before the conclusion of the election.
Hague has committed to supporting Oxford’s mission and recognizes the importance of the university's role within the UK’s educational framework. He noted, “What happens at Oxford in the next decade is critically significant to the success of the UK.” The former politician has maintained his links to the university, through his involvement with the Oxford Union and as an honorary fellow of Magdalen College.
Following the announcement, Vice-Chancellor Irene Tracey expressed her excitement, welcoming Hague back to Oxford and emphasizing his dedication to the institution. “William is a great friend to Oxford and is someone who I know will serve and represent this magnificent institution with dignity and vigour,” she said.
Beyond the ceremonial functions, Hague has articulated some of his future priorities, including promoting freedom of speech within higher education. He has publicly opposed the trends of cancel culture, especially at academic institutions, advocating for open debate and dialogue as foundational principles of university life.
During interviews, he emphasized, “Cancellation culture is absolutely wrong. Violence and prejudice should be countered through the rigour of reason, not the comfort blanket of cancellation.” This aligns with his previous comments on the need for universities to preserve spaces for dissenting voices, including those of controversial speakers.
Hague’s notable political background and his previous roles, including serving as Foreign Secretary, position him well to engage with the contemporary issues facing higher education and address the financial sustainability of universities. He has warned of potential crises arising from educational funding and advocated for solutions such as government cooperation on long-term financial agreements to protect institutional stability.
Notably, Hague’s election follows significant developments at Oxford, including the recent appointment of Pakistani student Ahmed Nawaz as the president of the Oxford Union, making headlines as he advocates for marginalized communities worldwide.
Students and alumni of the university have been intimately involved throughout the election process, galvanizing community engagement and representation. With Hague at the helm, there are high expectations for his contributions toward the future direction of the university during his term.
With the university’s unmatched historical significance and reputation, Hague’s role will undoubtedly be influential as he navigates the challenges and opportunities facing one of the world’s oldest educational institutions.
