Former U.K. Conservative Party leader William Hague has been elected chancellor of Oxford University, one of the most prestigious positions in British academia

William Hague, a former British foreign minister and onetime leader of the Conservative Party, was elected on Wednesday as the next chancellor of the University of Oxford, a largely ceremonial role which dates back centuries.

William Hague led throughout the race and defeated Elish Angiolini, the principal of Oxford’s St. Hugh’s College, by 1,603 votes in the final round of balloting that involved nearly 25,000 alumni

Mr. Hague, a former leader of Britain’s Conservative Party, was chosen in a vote by his fellow alumni to lead the elite university.

Earlier this month he warned former Labour spinner Mr Mandelson could not be both the UK’s next ambassador to the US and chancellor. In an interview with The Independent, Lord Hague said the two roles would be “incompatible”.

Former U.K. Conservative Party leader William Hague has been elected chancellor of Oxford University, one of the most prestigious positions in British academia, the university said Wednesday. Hague was elected in an online vote by staff and alumni of the 800-year-old university.