Notes
The affair of Mrs Thatcher's honorary . degree is characteristic of the vanity Which distinguishes Oxford from all other universities. Oxford has for long been too Closely connected with the world of poli- tics, and in this century has made a habit of ccmgratulating itself on this connection by giving honorary degrees to Prime Minis- ters. Honorary degrees are slightly point- less things, and it is typical of Oxford to Imagine that they are extremely significant. But if they are to be awarded, Mrs Thatch- er — a graduate of Somerville and the first Woman Prime Minister — is obviously an Impeccable candidate. Vainer still, howev- er, Oxford votes to withhold its own bauble. Perhaps it imagines that by doing so it has demonstrated its 'solidarity' with less prosperous institutions and defied au- thority. In fact, it will confirm many in their view that Oxford represents the establishment and Mrs Thatcher is, as she Prides herself, an outsider. When Mr Nlacmillan was Prime Minister, he put himself forward as Chancellor of the uni- versity, and was elected. It is hard to see What qualifications he had for that post Which Mrs Thatcher lacks for an honorary degree. We can only think of one — a vanity equal to that of his alma mater.
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