William Hague named as the new chancellor of Oxford University

William Hague, former Conservative Party leader and ex-Foreign Secretary, was elected as the University of Oxford’s 160th chancellor on Wednesday after four rounds of voting.

Hague, a career politician and member of the House of Lords who graduated from Oxford in 1982, will assume the largely ceremonial role, which has been continuously held since 1224.

The outcome dashed hopes for the university to elect its first female chancellor in the role’s 800-year history. Hague’s final-round opponent, Elish Angiolini, received 11,006 votes, compared to his 12,609.

Elish Angiolini, the outgoing principal of St Hugh’s College, Oxford, is a distinguished lawyer and former Lord Advocate of Scotland. She notably led the high-profile inquiry into the 2021 rape, abduction, and murder of Sarah Everard, a 33-year-old marketing executive, by a London police officer.

Angiolini and Hague advanced to the final round after defeating 36 other shortlisted candidates.

“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,” Hague said. “What happens at Oxford in the next decade is critical to the success of the UK. My heart and soul are in Oxford, and I will dedicate myself in the coming years to serving the university I love.”

Vice-Chancellor Irene Tracey expressed her enthusiasm for Hague’s election, stating, “He is a great friend to Oxford and is someone who I know will serve and represent this magnificent institution with dignity and vigour.”

Hague will be inaugurated early next year and will serve a 10-year term as chancellor, succeeding Chris Patten. Patten, also a former Conservative politician and the last British governor of Hong Kong, announced his retirement in February.

During his time at Oxford, Hague served as president of the Oxford Union debating society and has since contributed to the university as an honorary fellow of Magdalen College, one of its 43 colleges, delivering lectures and seminars.

The chancellorship, once a lifetime appointment, was redefined this year as a 10-year term. The next election for the position is scheduled for 2034.