Oxford transformed my life. When I arrived as a 17-year-old from a comprehensive school for an interview at Magdalen, I didn’t know a single person in the whole city, and no one in my family had ever been to university. I have never forgotten how Oxford equipped me to take on any challenge in the world.

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I have maintained a strong connection to the university ever since. In 1988 I volunteered, through my then employers McKinsey, to advise the university on its desperate needs for funds and plans for an appeal. With an American colleague I presented a plan, not for an appeal but for a Campaign for Oxford, not to raise £50 million as was mooted but £380 million, not to stave off a crisis but to fill much needed posts, renovate buildings, offer scholarships and build for the future, which I am delighted it has gone on to do.  

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While standing before the heads of the colleges persuading them to share data on their alumni with the university and writing the first draft of a publication I called 'Oxford Today', I could see that one of the world’s greatest universities, with a momentous past, has a great future when we all work together.  More recently, as an Honorary Fellow of Magdalen I have spent time with undergraduates who are that future, as I have returned regularly to give seminars or lectures on politics or the biographies I have written.  

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If Oxford asks me to serve as Chancellor, I will embrace that with vigour - although if there are better candidates they should be chosen, and I would strongly support them. In the 42 years since I graduated, I have built relationships across government, diplomacy, literature, science, business and philanthropy. I am ready to open their doors in the service of the university I love.  

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While parliament has been a big part of my life, I have always striven to reach beyond politics to promote diversity and work across parties. That was true of my proudest legislative achievement, the Disability Discrimination Act, and of my co-founding with Angelina Jolie of the Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict Initiative, and of my current work as chair of the Royal Foundation of the Prince and Princess of Wales. Core to my beliefs is the need for strong and enduring institutions, as vital bulwarks in the turbulent age now unfolding. As Foreign Secretary, while dealing with crises in the Middle East and Africa, I also created a language school in Whitehall and founded a Diplomatic Academy.  

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Much of the Chancellor’s role is fundraising, ceremonial, or representing the values of the university. I have secured large donations for many causes, speech-making is in my nature and I am not averse to wearing robes.  We must embrace modernity while treasuring our history. But it is also vital to give a lead when necessary, keeping the potential of great universities at the heart of public policy. There are at least three major issues for the next decade on which a Chancellor can help.  

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One is freedom of speech. Oxford should be a place of open debate – as it was for me in the Union – based on learning from the arguments of others. Violence and prejudice should be countered through the rigour of reason, not the comfort blanket of cancellation. Oxford minds should be ready for the great debating chamber of the world, not the echo chambers of the like-minded. I applaud Chris Patten’s clear statements on this vital matter. 

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Second is how the state finances universities. Britain is heading for a crisis over higher education funding. Solutions will be needed, from successive governments, that are affordable to the next generation of students regardless of background.  

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Third is the need for the UK and its universities to be at the forefront of the fastest period of change in science and technology in the entire history of human civilisation. That is not just a challenge for scientists but for every branch of humanities, medicine and social science too. The recent papers I have co-authored with Tony Blair set out how the country is well-placed but needs to do more, making the most of extraordinary talent in our research, funding it, and welcoming it from all over the globe.  

 

My heart and soul are in Oxford, and if I can help ensure future 17-year-olds have the same opportunity as I did, I offer my service. My website, provides details of my books, articles, interests and past career.