LONDON: Former British Conservative Party leader and former foreign secretary William Hague was elected as the 160th chancellor of Oxford University after four rounds of voting on Wednesday.
The career politician and member of the House of Lords who graduated from Oxford in 1982 will now lead the prestigious university in a largely ceremonial position that has been held continuously since 1224.
The result dashed hopes that the university would elect its first female chancellor in the 800-year history of the university, with 11,006 votes to 12,609 for Hague’s final-round rival Eilish Angiolini.
Angiolini, the outgoing principal of St Hugh’s College, Oxford, is a Scottish barrister and former Lord Advocate who led the high-profile investigation by London police into the rape, kidnapping and murder of 33-year-old marketing executive Sarah Everard in 2021. officer
The duo went head-to-head after beating 36 other shortlisted candidates to reach the final round.
“Thank you to my fellow Oxonians for having so much faith in me. I consider it the greatest honor of my life to be elected chancellor of my university,” Hague said.
“What happens at Oxford over 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 years to come to the service of the university I love. is.”
Vice-Chancellor Irene Treacy said she was “delighted” to welcome Hague, saying he was “a great friend of Oxford and I know he will serve and represent this wonderful institution with dignity and enthusiasm.” “.
He will be inaugurated early next year and will replace Chris Peyton, a former Conservative politician and the last British governor of Hong Kong, who announced his retirement in February to complete a 10-year term. .
Hague was president of the Oxford Union Debating Society during his time at the university, and has given lectures and seminars as an honorary fellow of Magdalen College, one of the 43 that make up the university.
The chancellorship used to be for life, until the university amended its rules this year to make it a 10-year term, with the next election due in 2034.