Patten and Bingham vie to be Oxford chancellor

The next chancellor of Oxford University is likely to be either a judge who advocates a relaxation of the cannabis laws or a Tory politician despised by some in his own party as too liberal.

The only ingredient the election seems to lack is a genuine right-wing candidate. In 1987, Roy Jenkins won by splitting the right-wing vote between the conservative historian Lord Blake and the former Tory prime minister Edward Heath. The death of Lord Jenkins of Hillhead last month forced the election.

Mr Patten, 58, a European Commissioner and former Hong Kong governor, confirmed yesterday that he would allow his name to go forward to join Lord Bingham of Cornhill, 69, a senior law lord and former lord chief justice, as a candidate. Both men are likely to play up their liberal achievements rather than their Establishment credentials.

Lord Bingham, 69, famously said in an interview for The Spectator magazine that he regarded the cannabis laws as "stupid" while Mr Patten's defeat in the 1992 election was cheered during a reception hosted by Baroness Thatcher.

Any distance Mr Patten can put between himself and his former leader is bound to play well with a university that is still proud of refusing to grant her an honorary degree in 1986 when she was Prime Minister. Lord Bingham's support for the relaxation of the cannabis laws would go down well in any contest for any post at an education establishment.

The role of Oxford chancellor is traditionally seen as purely that of a public figurehead involved in ceremonial events such as awarding honorary degrees. The prospectus for the post spells out the limited demands placed on the office holder when it says the "chancellorship is not an executive office and the formal duties are relatively few".

However, the function of the chancellor faces increased scrutiny. Oxford has felt the pinch of the education funding gap in recent years, placing greater pressure on the university to raise funds from its alumni. During his chancellorship, Lord Jenkins established a "court of benefactors" with the intention of maintaining links with donors.

University fees may be the issue that settles the contest. Yesterday Lord Bingham, displaying a formidable political instinct to match his judicial pedigree, declared himself in favour of top-up fees. He said he did not want to see Oxford "slide into mediocrity" and therefore could see himself supporting the funding system.

Mr Patten, who, like Lord Bingham, was an undergraduate at Balliol College, said he had written to the university's registrar on Monday to say he was willing to be nominated. All candidates must declare by 25 February. The electorate of 50,000 or so members votes on 14 and 15 March.

The contenders

Lord Bingham (Balliol)

Senior law lord who has a reputation for not suffering fools gladly. He said: "I shall not be at all political and will not be attacking my opponents. Nor will I be taking a party political line."

Chris Patten (Balliol)

Once called the "next prime minister but three", he became governor of Hong Kong after losing his seat in the 1992 election. Likely to adopt Lord Bingham's style of "non-confrontation" electioneering.

Michael Heseltine (Pembroke)

(Expected to declare his candidature shortly). A former president of the Oxford Union, who lost to John Major in the battle to succeed Margaret Thatcher. for the Tory leadership.