The electorate consisted of all members of the University holding the rank of MA. Votes had to be cast in person at Oxford in academic dress. The election was by first past the post. To stand a candidate had to be nominated by two electors.
Potential candidates
The forthcoming election generated much interest, and several names were raised in the press as potential candidates, including:[1]
Two other prominent Conservative politicians: former Foreign SecretaryLord Carrington (1919–2018) (held that position 1979–1982; a Cabinet minister in every Conservative government from 1956 until 1982), and Lord Hailsham of St Marylebone (Lord Chancellor 1970–1974 and 1979–1987; a former Conservative Cabinet minister since 1957)
All of the above had been educated at Oxford, apart from Lords Callaghan and Carrington.[1]
A notable feature of the election was the decision of the university establishment not to agree a preferred candidate in advance, thus increasing the possibility of a long list of candidates being nominated.[2]
The election attracted huge levels of publicity, at times likened to a parliamentary by-election.[3] Much of the attention focused upon the Jenkins and Heath campaigns, whilst Blake was seen as a non-political candidate. Payne was regarded as an outsider.
Much attention was focused on the issue of government funding for universities, with Oxford facing the effects of cuts in its funding, leading to several chairs being left unfilled.[4]
The requirement for those voting to do so in academic dress resulted in the local tailor selling out. One tactic of the supporters of Jenkins was to lend gowns to voters lacking them.[4]
Result
Polling ran until 14 March 1987. The results were as follows:[5]
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