Following the resignation of Chris Patten as Chancellor of Oxford University, a competition for what is widely regarded as one of Britain’s most comfortable jobs has recently commenced.
Patten, the former governor of Hong Kong and Tory deputy prime minister, held the position for over two decades. The chancellorship of Oxford University is esteemed and primarily ceremonial.
This role is open to election among Oxford graduates, typically favoring former politicians. In a departure from tradition, the university announced that the elections will now take place online, a shift from the previous requirement for graduates to attend the vote in full academic regalia.
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Among the candidates vying for the esteemed position is Imran Khan, the former Prime Minister of Pakistan. Khan, who studied Economics and Politics at Keble College, Oxford in 1972, also captained Oxford’s cricket team in 1974. Notably, he previously served as the chancellor of Bradford University for eight years, stepping down from his role in November 2014.
Also in contention are former British Prime Ministers Theresa May, Sir Tony Blair, and Boris Johnson. “The process and timetable for the election of the Chancellor by members of the University’s Convocation will be announced in due course,” the university stated in a press release.
