15/07/2025
The government’s £2.5 billion investment in East-West Rail and renewed commitment to the Oxford–Milton Keynes–Cambridge Growth Corridor indicate significant steps forward – not just for connectivity and economic growth, but for what this means for the future of our region and its people.
I welcome Lord Vallance’s assurance that this corridor must work for everyone, not just those in high-end academia, but for all families, students, artists, care workers, small business owners – all those who call this region home.
This principle rests at the heart of my candidacy for Chancellor of the University of Cambridge.
I have long argued that the corridor’s true promise lies not just in creating Europe’s Silicon Valley, but in building a model for inclusive and sustainable prosperity across the region. It will require a university and a Chancellor willing to step into the civic space with courage and conviction to proactively and collaboratively realise this vision.
As Chancellor, I would work to ensure the University of Cambridge plays an active, visible, and responsible role in shaping the corridor’s future.
We must convene diverse voices to do this – from local councils and communities to students and entrepreneurs, we must develop shared priorities for infrastructure, housing, skills, and environmental stewardship. Cambridge University’s academic strengths must guide smart growth – growth that is regionally balanced, climate-conscious, and socially responsible.
The University of Cambridge must also lead by example in this endeavour. This includes advocating for sustainable and affordable housing solutions, supporting East-West Rail as a social lifeline (not simply a transport project), and ensuring our educational pathways from apprenticeships to postgraduate research are open to talent from every part of the Arc, not just its elite centres.
Cambridge can be more than a global beacon of excellence, it can be a regional force for social mobility, opportunity and belonging. If we lead with purpose, Cambridge can shape a corridor that serves as a bridge, not a boundary, linking our historic institutions to the aspirations of the next generation.
