Institutions within Oxford are showing variable form in the struggle to gain power and influence among new Labour's top dogs. St John's is still havering about the fellowship that colleges usually offer to alumni who become prime ministers. St Catherine's, however, has cut out the frontman and gone for the real thing by awarding an honorary fellowship to former student Peter Mandelson, proof that Lord Plant, head of the college and a Labour peer, can outpace the competition if need be.