The field is starting to open in the race for the chancellorship of the University of Oxford, after our report earlier this week on the runners and riders. We tipped former cabinet minister Rory Stewart as a strong contender for the job and the bookies seem to agree. William Hill has released its first round-up of odds on the chancellorship and Stewart comes top with a 5/6 chance of replacing outgoing chancellor Chris Patten.
“This is a very interesting idea and an amazing role, but I would have to think hard about whether I am the right candidate,” Stewart has said. That’s not a no. We reckon he could wipe the floor with the competition. Boris Johnson has ruled himself out. But there’s still chance of a tilt at the role from former prime minister Theresa May, who got a 2:2 in geography from St Hugh’s College. William Hill sets her odds at 7/4. She and Stewart are friends and former colleagues. Would they be comfortable going head to head?
Ruth Davidson says political podcast land is a sausage fest
We await the emergence of a dark horse candidate who might shake up the race. Former hope of the Scottish Tories Ruth Davidson says she’s looking forward to a career in podcasting, the traditional retreat of the disappointed politician. Davidson wants to disrupt what she calls the “sausage fest” that is the political podcast landscape with her female-led show, presented with Labour’s Jess Phillips and Sky News journalist Beth Rigby.
“While Electoral Dysfunction is unique as it’s the first all-women political podcast, we’re not there to talk about periods and shopping,” Davidson said. But has she got her facts straight? We note that despite this claim to exclusivity, there are already some female-led politics podcasts, including Women with Balls, presented by The Spectator’s political editor Katy Balls, and Difficult Women. Davidson has got some tough competition.
The Crown Auction sells lots for, well, lots
Would you spend thirteen grand on a replica of Princess Diana’s revenge dress? Yesterday, Bonham’s launched The Crown Auction, with 161 lots of props and costumes on offer from the Netflix show about the royals. So far, the Gold State Coach has sold for £56,280 and a copy of the Coronation Ceremonial Garments worn by Claire Foy as the Queen in season one went for £19,200.
Perhaps the most puzzling price tag was on Lady Diana’s sporty outfit worn by Elizabeth Debicki as the people’s princess, which went for almost £6,000. If you missed out on this lot, you could always buy trainers, sports shorts, and a vintage grey sweatshirt for under £100 on Brick Lane.
