The race to succeed the late Lord Jenkins as chancellor of Oxford University is already throwing up a range of contenders.
The role is traditionally seen as purely that of a public figurehead - usually occupied by "an eminent public figure" according to the university - and is involved in ceremonial events such as the awarding of honorary degrees.
However, the function of the chancellor now faces increased scrutiny. Oxford has felt the pinch of the education funding gap in recent years, placing greater pressure upon the university to raise funds from its alumni community. During his chancellorship, Lord Jenkins established a "court of benefactors" with the intention of maintaining healthy links with donors.
One candidate believed to have serious financial pulling power is Bill Clinton. His allegiances have partly been directed towards the London School of Economics - where he was offered a visiting professorship - though the decision of Chelsea Clinton to attend Oxford suggests that his affection for the university has not waned since his Rhodes scholar days in the late 1960s. Having already earned the public backing of one Oxford don, the statesman and Third Way evangelist would certainly go down well with the government faithful.
The election will inevitably involve a measure of party political struggle, since it has historically attracted at least one candidate of the "left" and the "right". In 1987 the former Tory prime minister Sir Edward Heath was defeated by the then SDP leader, Lord Jenkins. Chris Patten qualifies on political grandee grounds but is probably ruled out since he is currently chancellor at Newcastle University, although members of the royal family manage multiple chancellorships. Michael Heseltine has a long affection for the university, having been union president in the 1950s, although his most likely distraction from the chancellorship is the prospect of a campaign on the euro.
Shirley Williams is being touted as one of the principal "left" figures as she was one of the "gang of four" to join Jenkins in forming the SDP. Her experience as a former education secretary and now Harvard professor is certainly strong, although her comment on the lack of "internationally first-rate universities left in Britain" will have come as a sharp blow to Oxford. She has also taken a more firm opposition than Jenkins did to tuition fees and Blair's policy on education funding, which will make her a popular choice on the left.
Even the prospect of Tony Blair himself standing is not an untenable one, since Harold Macmillan's successful bid for the post while prime minister in 1960. However, one former prime minister who will almost certainly not be throwing her hat into the ring is Margaret Thatcher, a graduate of Somerville College. The Iron Lady's allegiances have somewhat shifted to Cambridge - where she recently opened an archive of her political papers - following her fury over Oxford's decision not to award her an honorary degree.
Beyond the political debate, the contest is also very likely to include at least one academic or educationalist - previous unsuccessful contenders being the philosopher Sir Oliver Franks and the historian Lord Blake. This time around Sir Claus Moser, former warden of Wadham College, professor at the LSE, head of the government statistical service and now chancellor of Keele University, could be an interesting outside bet. Moser is well known for his research into the low levels of literacy and numeracy in Britain, and was elected as one of the "people's peers" last April.
Voting and standing for the position of chancellor is open to all Oxford graduates - more than 8,000 voted in 1987. The one condition is that all those wishing to have their say have to cast their votes in Oxford, so the city may face an invasion in the coming months.
Go to the next item in Oxford's Carry on Chancellor romp.
Click for related items: A Tough Act to Follow by Donald Macleod, 7/1; Clinton the Wrong Man for Oxford by Catherine Bennett, 9/1; Students back Clinton by Rodrigo Davies, 16/1; Clinton fights shy by Will Woodward and Sarah Hall, 17/1; Open to First Woman? by Rodrigo Davies, 17/1; How to become Chancellor by Will Woodward, 17/1; Chancellorship election rules (plus links for nomination forms etc.) OU Gazette, 23/1; Oxford race wide open The Times Higher (Education Supplement), 31/1.