May backs Hague for Oxford Chancellor bid

In a year of elections, none are bigger than that for Oxford Chancellor. Just five candidates remain in the race to head England’s oldest university, with William Hague and Dominic Grieve of the Tories taking on Labour peers Jan Royall and Peter Mandelson plus Dame Elish Angiolini. Voting in the second – and final – round kicks off next Monday, with Oxford’s notable failure to publish the first round of results sparking rumours about whether or not Lord Mandelson topped that ballot.

So in their bid to ensure their man comes top of the all-important second round, the Hague camp has lined up some big names to boost his case. Star power comes in the form of his former cabinet colleague, Theresa May. The ex-Prime Minister praises his ‘dedication to public service, his energy and insight’ and today publicly declares that ‘his leadership would bring wisdom, integrity and a commitment to excellence.’