On 30 June 2025, the Times Higher Education published an opinion piece from Professor Wyn Evans entitled “Ending bullying and precarity should be the Cambridge chancellor’s focus“.
“In over 800 years, only once has a non-university candidate ever won the chancellorship of Cambridge. In 1847, the German-born Prince Consort, Albert of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, narrowly defeated the Cambridge-educated Tory aristocrat, the Earl of Powis, by 945 votes to 837. The victory sparked plenty of 19th-century Twitter-style drama about whether a “foreigner” should be leading a bastion of English tradition. But Prince Albert was a force for good. He used his influence to modernise Cambridge along the lines of German research universities. He promoted reforms, such as the introduction of the natural sciences tripos in 1851 – the first time that physics, chemistry, biology and geology were examined.” [Wyn Evans, Times Higher Education]
There is a tradition of reformer candidates who have acted for the good of Cambridge University.
The Chancellor sits on the University Council, which is Cambridge’s main executive and decision-making body. The statutes say the Chancellor has the power “to see that all officers of the University duly perform their duties.” So, the path for renewal is there.
The two candidates who wish to re-imagine the Chancellorship — Professor Wyn Evans and Professor Tony Booth — are talking on Wednesday 2nd July at 2.00 pm at the Cambridge Union. You are welcome to join and ask questions.
For those unable to attend, the conversation will be filmed and excerpts posted on campaign websites and social media.
4 Comments
SPARTACUS · 1 July 2025 at 11:56
Lord BP may start to get worried… maybe. But establishment is too strong and will ensure he wins. Unfortunately! Decadent Medical School with a mediocre spineless Regius is of course routing for oil man! Lies and all don’t matter.
21percent.org · 1 July 2025 at 13:08
Our view is Lord BP will be in the lead at the end of the first round, as alumni lean rightwards. He may have quite a big lead.
It is Single Transferable Vote. Lord Browne will not be transfer-friendly. As candidates are eliminated and their votes transferred, we think Lord Browne may well be overtaken.
There is definitely a path through for a reforming candidate.
Who is eliminated, and in what order, will control the outcome of this unpredictable election
SPARTACUS · 1 July 2025 at 20:56
What is truly nauseating is to see senior academics that have been directly involved in multiple cases of horrible institutional bullying in the Biomedical sphere in the University as supporters of Lord BP. Some of these have now moved to lead and destroy research funding (e.g. MRC). Others are overseeing the destruction of the Medical School. Surprised that Bullshitmore has not signed up! And the rogue new Master of a Roman-named College…
Anonymous · 2 July 2025 at 16:03
The whole system needs radical reform. We need professional standards, internal accountability and responsive governance in place of silence, co-optation and institutionalisation of staff mistreatment.