A very special election will be held in Cambridge over the next two days as the University Senate votes for a new Chancellor of Cambridge University – a successor to the Duke of Edingburgh who held this high office for 35 years. It is largely a ceremonial and ambassadorial role and I have seen our royal Chancellor lead several university processions through our streets;  it is partly what makes Cambridge so special. So who, I wonder, will step into his shoes.

This is one election the TV cameras cannot miss as four very different and high profile candidates with personal agendas (though one is local) have thrown their hats into the ring; it is the first time there has been a vote for the University’s Chancellor since for 163 years as they are normally not contested. Democracy has returned:

1. Lord Sainsbury, the establishment choice, tells the students’ paper Varsity:

“I was an undergraduate here, but since then I’ve been quite involved with Cambridge so I’ve come back on a regular basis. I always knew that Cambridge was a great university and when I was Minister for Science and Innovation, one looked at all the various rankings of universities in the UK and across the world, and it’s quite extraordinary how well Cambridge comes out. Championing the University in all its aspects to me is a job worth doing.

“It is in some ways quite a ceremonial role, to represent the university on important occasions. But I think the role of the Chancellor is very much to champion the University in the political world and society at large, and that would be something I would very much look forward to. To do that you must share the values of the University and believe that universities are important institutions in our society. You couldn’t do the job if you don’t think that arts and humanities are important, or the values of scientific research.”

2. Abdul Arain, a Cambridge supermarket owner who is against a new Sainsbury store opening near his business, tells Varsity:

“My aim is to see the Town and Gown more connected because I believe it’s important that this wonderful institution is embedded in the Cambridge community. I want to encourage more state school students to apply because there’s a lot of talent in those pools that it is important for this university to attract.

“It might be about Sainsbury’s today but it was about Tesco’s before and it will be about another store after. Our country’s value system needs to be questioned – just look at the riots. This campaign has been something close to my heart for a long time – I was one of the founding chairs of Mill Road Improvement back in 1997 – and something that will continue to be important to me.

“Most of my support has come from word of mouth. Lots of the academics are very passionate about what I stand for and are pleased that I am running. I think it has done the University a lot of good that I have been able to stand for the position. It proves that the University is fostering an environment for a fair process.”

3. Michael Mansfield, a high flying barrister nominated who represented Mohammed Al Fayed at the inquest into the deaths of his son Dodi and Diana, Princess of Wales – was nominated by academics who oppose the candidacy of  former government minister Lord Sainsbury.

Mansfield has become known for representing underdogs or victims of injustice, including the men wrongly accused of the IRA’s Guildford and Birmingham pub bombings, the family of Jean Charles de Menezes – shot dead by police at Stockwell underground station after being mistaken for a terrorist – and Barry George, who was accused of killing Jill Dando.

He is opposed to cuts in university funding and rising tuition fees, saying:

“This is a fine opportunity to defend the principles of higher education and critical thinking in particular, which have been steadily eroded by successive governments wedded to market forces.”

4. Brian Blessed, the bearded actor regarded by many as “a national treasure”, and the best contender as far as Times columnist Patrick Kidd is concerned. He says Blessed has “grandeur that none of the others can offer”.

Patrick tells us Blessed wants to promote Shakespeare and encourage the university to fund expeditions. He has no political agenda and says poetically.

“Cambridge has always been the centre of the earth. There is a brightness and light there that rivals that on Mount Everest. The university buildings are architecturally beautiful, the whole setting is wonderful and enchants the soul. ..My biggest belief about this place is adventure.”

There is no doubt that this result will send a clear message to government too about the feelings of its glittering alumni; you must have a Cambridge masters degree to be able to vote for this very rare election.

I think the establishment will win and Lord Sainsbury will cinche it. All contenders should be congratulated for making it such an interesting election, even for those who cannot vote.

Update 16 October: Congratulations to Lord Sainsbury, the new Chancellor of Cambridge University.