1950 University of Cambridge Chancellor election
An election for the Chancellorship of the University of Cambridge was held in November 1950 after the death of the incumbent Chancellor, Jan Smuts. There was a contested election as the University of Cambridge's establishment's candidate, Lord Tedder, was opposed by a group of Dons who favoured Jawaharlal Nehru. Nehru was nominated without giving him an opportunity to withdraw, and although honoured by the nomination, felt he could be of no service to the University. Although Nehru (who found opinion in India was against his being nominated) eventually persuaded his supporters to withdraw his name, a nominal election was required and took place on Friday 10 November, Tedder being declared the winner but without disclosing the number of votes cast.
Candidates
Early speculation about suitable names for the new Chancellor centred on Earl Mountbatten of Burma, or the Duke of Gloucester.[1] An editorial in the student newspaper Varsity on 14 October 1950 began by stating clearly "The person we would like to see installed as Chancellor of Cambridge University is obviously someone of wide repute within the British Commonwealth" and suggested that Pandit Nehru, Prime Minister of India, was such a person. The editorial praised Nehru for maintaining impartiality in the Korean War, repeatedly advising peaceful resolution of international disputes, and not allowing India to become part of the spheres of influence of either the USA or USSR.[2] Nehru had studied at Cambridge (Trinity College, 1907-1910).
An informal meeting of the Senate held on Saturday 14 October 1950 recommended Lord Tedder, who had been Deputy Supreme Commander under Eisenhower during the closing stages of World War II and recently retired as Chief of the Air Staff. Tedder had also studied at Cambridge (Magdalene College, 1909-1913). After the meeting a fly-sheet was circulated inviting signatures from members of the Senate to nominate Tedder, and giving a list of those who already intended to sign. The list included most heads of Colleges and members of the council of the Senate, the University's principal governing institution. Tedder was recommended on the basis of his military experience, and connections with Cambridge: he had been made an honorary Fellow of his old College, and received an honorary Doctorate. Chemistry professor Ronald G.W. Norrish, one of his supporters, explained that choosing Nehru would be suitable if the University had wanted to "take an active part in the world of politics", but that Tedder was suitable because he was not a political figure.[3]
Contest
In response, a fly-sheet in favour of Nehru was published on Wednesday 25 October, said to be a spontaneous reaction against the suggestion of Tedder, and it was said that it started with well over 100 signatures. Those supporting Nehru argued that support in him would show how highly the "virtues of peace" were valued, and noted that almost all the names supporting Tedder were very senior figures.
Some concern was raised by Varsity that the announcement of the election procedure specified that the names of voters, and the candidate for whom they had voted, would be published. The announcement had said this was "in accordance with ancient custom" but it was noted that the regulations had not been altered since the introduction of the secret ballot for Parliamentary elections.[7] It was later speculated that the reason for announcing that votes would be published was to intimidate senior members who were planning to vote for Nehru.[8] On behalf of Nehru, a circular was sent to all Masters of Arts and transport was said to be being arranged from London and Oxford, as all votes had to be cast in person.[7] One letter in Varsity regretted the contested election and pointed out Nehru's supporters' wish to further Anglo-Indian understanding would be undermined if Nehru was defeated and the election "attracted the attention of racial or political propagandists".[9]
Nehru withdraws
The High Commissioner of India to the United Kingdom,
It was not until after the notice of election was published that the Vice-Chancellor received a letter signed by ten of Nehru's supporters indicating that Nehru did not wish to accept nomination,[13] but as this decision had been communicated after the last date for withdrawal, a nominal election had to go ahead.[14] The time allowed for votes to be cast was altered from the initial plan of 9 AM to 9 PM, and reduced to 2 PM to 2:30 PM.[15] It was also announced that the names of voters and their votes would not be published.[16]
Nehru's supporters in Cambridge were reluctant to comply with his wishes, arguing that they had the right to elect whom they wished. However Krishna Menon did persuade them that Nehru would be embarrassed by a contested election.
Result
Just under 200 people voted, during drizzling rain.[18] After half an hour of voting, the Senior Proctor announced that Tedder had been duly elected, without giving any figures.[19]
References
- ^ "Cambridge Diary", Varsity, 14 October 1950, p. 3.
- ^ "Viewpoint", Varsity, 14 October 1950, p. 2.
- ^ "Lord Tedder may be new Chancellor", Varsity, 21 October 1950, p. 1.
- ^ "Strong Support for Nehru", Varsity, 28 October 1950, p. 1.
- ^ "Cambridge Chancellor", The Times, 3 November 1950, p. 4. The official list of nominators is in Cambridge University Reporter, No. 3711 (Vol LXXXI No. 9), 2 November 1950.
- ^ a b Sarvepalli Gopal, "Jawaharlal Nehru: A Biography", vol 2, Jonathan Cape, 1979, p. 111-112.
- ^ a b "Concern over Chancellor Election System", Varsity, 4 November 1950, p. 1.
- ^ "Election of Chancellor" (Viewpoint), Varsity, 11 November 1950, p. 6.
- ^ Letters, Varsity, 4 November 1950, p. 8.
- ^ "Selected Works of Jawaharlal Nehru", Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Fund, 2nd Series, vol 15 part 1, p. 563.
- ^ "Selected Works of Jawaharlal Nehru", Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Fund, 2nd Series, vol 15 part 2, p. 661.
- ^ "Selected Works of Jawaharlal Nehru", Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Fund, 2nd Series, vol 15 part 2, p. 661-662.
- ^ "Mr. Nehru's Decision", The Times, 6 November 1950, p. 4.
- ^ "Two nominations for Nov. 10 election", The Times, 30 October 1950, p. 4.
- ^ "Nominal election required", The Times, 8 November 1950, p. 3.
- ^ Cambridge University Reporter, No. 3713 (Vol LXXXI No. 11), 7 November 1950, p. 315.
- ^ Michael Davie, "Nehru Refuses Cambridge Nomination", Manchester Guardian, 5 November 1950, p. 5. E.M. Forster wrote to Kingsley Martin "I wish he had risked it" - see Gopal, p. 112 note 58.
- ^ a b "Tedder elected new Chancellor: Nehru's Refusal", Varsity, 11 November 1950, p. 1.
- ^ "Lord Tedder", Manchester Guardian, 11 November 1950, p. 5.