Lord Hague wins vote to become new Chancellor of University of Oxford

Lord Hague of Richmond, former leader of the Conservative Party, is to become the next Chancellor of University of Oxford and will be formally inaugurated early in 2025.

He won a majority of support in the final round of voting for the post, which is a largely ceremonial, yet significant role.

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He will become the 160th recorded Chancellor in the famous university’s history - a role that dates back at least 800 years - and will serve for ten years.

Chancellor-elect Lord Hague thanked his fellow Oxonians for their vote of confidence and said he regarded being elected as the Chancellor "the greatest honour" of his life.

"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," he said.

"I look forward to working closely with the Vice-Chancellor and her team, along with students and alumni, to build on their excellent work. My heart and soul are in Oxford and I will dedicate myself in the coming years to serving the university I love."

Lord Hague of Richmond succeeds Lord Patten of Barnes, who announced his retirement from the post in February this year.

Lord Patten of Barnes said: "I am delighted that William has been chosen. He had a stellar time at Oxford and throughout a distinguished political career he has kept in close contact with his college and the University. He will do a great job. He loves Oxford and Oxford will love him."

William Hague graduated from Magdalen College in 1982 and has always said that Oxford transformed his life, arriving from a comprehensive school in South Yorkshire to study Philosophy, Politics and Economics. He was President of the Oxford Union.

As well as being leader of the Conservative Party (1997-2001) and Foreign Secretary (2010-2014), he also served as Secretary of State for Wales, leader of the House of Commons and Minister for Disabled People, in which role he was the author of the Disability Discrimination Act. He spent 26 years as the MP for Richmond, in Yorkshire.

Since leaving government, he has divided his time between business, charity and writing.

He is a columnist of The Times, has written two historical biographies and is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature.