Former Tory leader Lord William Hague is elected as next chancellor of Oxford University after defeating Labour peer Lord Peter Mandelson_Nhy
Former Conservative leader Lord William Hague has been elected as the next chancellor of Oxford University.
Lord Hague beat a number of high-profile candidates, including Lady Elish Angiolini and Labour peer Lord Peter Mandelson, in the race for the historic position.
It comes after fellow Tory Lord Patten announced that he would be retiring after more than 20 years in the position at the university.
Lord Hague will be inaugurated as chancellor early in the New Year and he will serve for a term of 10 years, the university announced on Wednesday.
Staff and alumni voted online for the first time to elect the chancellor – a post which has been in place at Oxford for 800 years.
Only about 24,900 of Oxford’s estimated 350,000 graduates and staff members voted, despite online ballots being introduced. Previous elections required graduates to cast their votes in person.
The chancellor is the titular head of the university and they preside over key ceremonies, and they also chair the committee to elect the vice-chancellor, who leads the university.
Lord Hague said: ‘I regard being elected as the chancellor of our university as the greatest honour of my life.
Former Conservative leader Lord William Hague (pictured) has been elected as the next chancellor of Oxford University
Lord Hague said being elected as chancellor of Oxford is the ‘greatest honour’ of his life. Pictured: Former Foreign Secretary William Hague delivers his last conference speech before retiring as a Member of Parliament
Lord Hague beat a number of high-profile candidates including Labour peer Lord Peter Mandelson (pictured) in the race for the historic position
‘I pay tribute to the other candidates, in particular for their commitment to the future of Oxford.
‘What happens at Oxford in the next decade is critical to the success of the UK.’
Lord Hague will be the 160th recorded person to hold the title with past chancellors including former Prime Minister, Harold Macmillan (1960 – 18 December 1986), and former President of the European Commission, Roy Jenkins (14 March 1987 – 5 January 2003).
Professor Irene Tracey vice-chancellor of the University of Oxford, said: ‘I am delighted to welcome Lord Hague back to Oxford as its 160th Chancellor.
‘On behalf of the entire University community, I heartily congratulate him on being elected.
‘I would like to extend my gratitude to the four unsuccessful candidates for their dedication and willingness to serve.
‘William is a great friend to Oxford and is someone who I know will serve and represent this magnificent institution with dignity and vigour.
‘I am personally looking forward to working with him during the remainder of my tenure, and to also engaging with his wife, Ffion, another loyal alum to the University of Oxford. Congratulations once again.’
