Patten, commenting on the debate over party affiliation for the chancellorship, argued that the focus should be on the candidates’ qualifications rather than their political backgrounds. He emphasized, "I mean, it is a sort of stupid argument. I mean, people are actually saying the chancellor is always Conservative. My predecessor was [the former Labour cabinet minister] Roy Jenkins." He critiques the notion that the role should align with any political party, asserting that it is a mistake to turn the election into a partisan issue.
In discussing the candidates, Patten reflected on the qualities needed for the role: "It is important that it should be someone who's already done things and who understands Oxford and isn't just doing it to step a bit further up the greasy pole." This highlights his call for experience and a genuine commitment to the university rather than political ambition.
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