A Remainer poster girl who sparked outrage by trying to stop Brexit is making a bid to become Cambridge University’s next Chancellor.
Gina Miller, the controversial campaigner, has put herself forward for election to the historic role, saying she would use it to ‘promote ethical leadership’.
Mrs Miller, 59, became a divisive figure over her 2017 campaign against then Prime Minister Theresa May triggering Article 50 – the legal mechanism taking the UK out of the EU – without Parliamentary approval.
Following a fierce legal battle, the Supreme Court ruled in favour of giving MPs a say over the move.
The following year, she admitted she was ‘the most hated woman in Britain’ due to her high-profile campaign.
Mrs Miller announced today she has secured 70 nominations for the race to become Cambridge’s next Chancellor, exceeding the threshold of 50.
These will now be verified by the university, with a formal announcement of all successfully nominated candidates expected later this month.
For the first time, alumni from around the world will be able to vote online for their favourite candidate – as previous elections took place in person.
A Remainer poster girl who sparked outrage by trying to stop Brexit is making a bid to become Cambridge University’s next Chancellor (pictured: Gina Miller)
While the role is largely ceremonial, the Chancellor can still set the symbolic direction of the university and give advice to campus management.
Mrs Miller said today: ‘At a time when truth, academia, experts and facts are being undermined, Cambridge must stand tall as a fearless defender of academic freedom and excellence.’
She said she would use the role as ‘an active platform’ to ‘amplify Cambridge’s values, promote ethical leadership, and boost the university’s role in shaping a fairer, more informed, and solution-driven world.’
And she added: ‘Cambridge must continue to attract the best research talent from around the world – especially from the United States, where academics are facing growing attacks.’
Lord Sainsbury of Turville, who replaced the Duke of Edinburgh in the position, announced he intended to step down from the role last year.
Voting will take place in July.
Others vying for the position include Cambridge astrophysicist Wyn Evans and former BP chief executive Lord Browne.
Mrs Miller, a businesswoman, ran a second campaign in 2019 over Boris Johnson’s decision to suspend Parliament in the run-up to Brexit, ultimately leading to a ruling of unlawfulness by the Supreme Court.
Gina Miller, the controversial campaigner, has put herself forward for election to the historic role, saying she would use it to ‘promote ethical leadership’ (pictured: Trinity College, Cambridge)
However, she has since spoken about suffering harassment and death threats due to her high-profile campaigning.
And in January, the mother-of-three, who is married to her third husband Alan, she also opened up about being treated for cancer after a devastating diagnosis last year.
She told The Times she regretted getting involved in the Brexit campaign due to the strain it has put on her health.
She said of her cancer: ‘I’ve been vegetarian for many decades and I don’t eat ultra-processed food, so I don’t believe that environmental or health factors were contributory factors, so all I can put it down to is stress.
‘And with hindsight I wouldn’t have got as involved in the Brexit challenge as I did.’
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Remainer poster girl who sparked outrage for trying to stop Brexit makes bid to hold coveted post of Chancellor of the University of Cambridge