Universities must not be ‘comfort blankets of cancellation', says Lord Hague

Telegraph

19-02-2025

Universities must not be 'comfort blankets of cancellation', Lord Hague insisted in his inaugural speech as the new chancellor of Oxford University.
The former Conservative Party leader promised to make Oxford the 'home of free speech' and to lead the university into a new era as he takes over from Lord Patten, who stepped down from the role last year.
In a speech at the Sheldonian Theatre on Wednesday, Lord Hague said protecting freedom of speech would be 'of paramount importance… in an age in which ideas will change so rapidly'.
'We cannot prepare for the turbulent decades to come by shielding ourselves from inconvenient arguments, wrapping ourselves in comfort blankets of cancellation, or suppressing minority views because they conflict with the beguiling certainty of a majority,' he said.
'Oxford is a home of free speech within the law… Our university is a place where we can disagree vigorously while sheltering each other from the abuse and hatred that are so often a substitute for rational opinion.'
Tensions around debates at universities including Oxford have heightened in recent months. Last week, protesters staged a walkout at a discussion at Oxford University by Helen Joyce, a gender-critical author, while 600 people signed a petition 'protesting transphobia' at the institution.
Lord Hague praised the Government for reinstating Tory free speech laws for universities designed to protect academics from so-called cancel culture.
Bridget Phillipson, the Education Secretary, announced last month she would revive the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act, despite Labour sources previously describing it as a 'Tory hate speech charter'.
It means universities will soon face punishments if they fail to uphold free speech and academic freedom for academics under a new complaints scheme as part of the Act.
But Lord Hague appeared to suggest Oxford would not be drawn into political matters such as ongoing conflicts or the US administration under his stewardship.
'We do not need to agree on everything, indeed we should not. I am pleased to say we do not need a foreign policy: we are not a country,' he said.
'AI the greatest ever challenge'
The chancellor also warned about the threat to universities posed by artificial intelligence, which he said would likely come to define his 10-year tenure.
'The arrival of artificial intelligence along with engineering biology and the accompanying pace of technological change is the greatest ever challenge for the modern state,' he said in his speech.
'It will also be the greatest ever challenge for the modern university.'
The Oxford alumnus, who studied philosophy, politics and economics at Magdalen College, becomes the university's 160th chancellor in the role's 800-year history.
Though a largely ceremonial position, Lord Hague will face a difficult inheritance becoming chancellor of a world-leading institution at a time when the university sector is facing serious financial pressures.
The Tory peer was elected as Oxford chancellor in November after beating rival candidates including Lord Mandelson, the former Labour advisor who has since been appointed by Sir Keir Starmer as the UK ambassador to the US.
Lord Hague also defeated three other final-round candidates, including Lady Angiolini, the Scottish lawyer who led the Sarah Everard inquiry, Dominic Grieve, an ex-Tory minister, and Baroness Royall, the current principal of Somerville College, Oxford.
The chancellor paid tribute to his predecessor, Lord Patten, who was among the audience at Oxford's Sheldonian Theatre on Wednesday.
Lord Patten, who was the last governor of Hong Kong, announced his retirement in early 2024, making him the first Oxford chancellor not to die in post since the second Duke of Ormonde in 1715.
Usually a role for life, statute changes confirmed last year mean that Lord Hague will serve a reduced term of a decade in the position, which is part time and unpaid.
Tackling anxiety and loneliness a priority
The chancellor said his term would also see Oxford serve on 'the front line of fighting the darker side of the new technological age' as he promised to tackle a surge in 'anxiety and loneliness, especially among young people'.
'This new age will only turn out well if it allows us more scope to enjoy being human, rather than form our relationships with machines,' he said.
'In Oxford we have the great strengths of personal tuition, college communities and high achievements in sports and music. It should always be a place where we seek each other's company, not stare into smartphones.'
The chancellor is the titular head of Oxford University and presides over several key ceremonies. In addition to formal duties, they also undertake advocacy, advisory and fundraising work and chair the committee for the selection of vice-chancellor.
Lord Hague graduated from the university in 1982 and has insisted that the institution transformed his life, having arrived from a comprehensive school in South Yorkshire and going on to become president of the Oxford Union.
Born in Rotherham in 1961, he worked for consulting firm McKinsey & Co after leaving Oxford, before being elected as the MP for Richmond, Yorkshire, at the age of 27.
He served various ministerial roles in his 26 years as an MP and became leader of the Conservative Party in 1997, a role he held for five years.