English universities are bracing themselves for an uncertain future under a new government after a “depressing” Conservative leadership campaign that has revealed little about either candidate’s approach to higher education.
As Tory members choose between Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak, mention of higher education on the campaign trail has been limited to offering reforms to Oxbridge admissions or repeating culture-war tropes and broad-brush commitments to cracking down on degrees perceived to offer poor employment prospects.
While the lack of engagement with key sector issues such as funding was “depressing”, it was inevitable, said Andy Westwood, professor of government practice at the University of Manchester and a former special adviser to Labour universities ministers.
