Congratulations to all Lib Dems who have been honoured in the Queen’s Birthday Honours today!
Arise Sir Norman Lamb MP, awarded his knighthood for public and political service. Norman has been the MP for North Norfolk since 2001 and was one of the few that survived the cull in 2015. He is currently the party’s Health spokesperson, and has for a long time spoken up for mental health, calling for equality of provision for patients and a better understanding of their needs.
So far we haven’t managed to spot anyone else in the list, but there may well be others, so let us know in the comments below and we will add them to the main post.
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18 Comments
And not before time! A man who will embellish the somewhat tarnished knighthood brand. If politics is about ‘making the difference’ Sir Norman is a shining example for his work to achieve equally of status for mental health with physical health.
A much deserved honour for a much loved politician.
A really good thing when our Honours System reflects genuine achievement and altruism too, instead of being merely endorsement of fame or success.
Well done, Norman.
I wonder who nominated him.
Norman is brilliant, and I don’t want to begrudge him this, but for a party that is supposed to be against the establishment, having more than a quarter of our parliamentary party as knights is not a great look. Sorry to rain on the parade – I’m a huge fan of Norman. But just saying.
listening to the minister at federal conference there were so many achievements for a representative to report back to the constituency.
A knighthood is an honour which allows an elected parliamentarian to continue with his work. Well deserved.
A tory he defeated in a general election has not stood again.
Mental health issues should have equality with physical health issues. David Cameron agreed. The government should ensure that happens.
Tom McLean 8th Jun ’19 – 3:04pm
Your nomination/s for Dame/s?
Whilst having considerable sympathy for Tom McLean’s general point (are the Lib Dems actually meant to be an anti-establishment party or not?), this does seem to be a rare example of a knighthood “for public and political service” that is richly deserved – so many congratulations, Sir Norman!
What cans of society do Lib Dems want to live in…one with Knights of the realm and all that implies or one that doesn’t..Norman Lamb is a man who has dedicated his life to public service and been handsomely rewarded so does he need this antiquated award.
Perhaps Norman Lamb was nominated by a constituent or mental health charity so what is wrong with that. Knighthoods are not the sole preserve of one party and cut across classes and party political boundaries and outside of politics. It’s a shame he didn’t stand for the Leadership this time round would have been his best chance of leading the party.
A well deserved accolade.
Am I right in assuming that those who are questioning whether Lib Dems should be celebrating this are republicans?
Well done, Sir Norman. But what about all those ‘top’ civil servants who seem automatically to receive a knighthood with their pensions for just doing their job? Where’s the ‘value added’ there?
Excellent news
Congratulations to Norman Lamb for this well deserved honour.
I do wish he could have had to chance to lead the party.
But of course it’s not necessarily too late!
He is a wise man. His health would be a hindrance to standing for leader.Honours should be given to people who do MORE than just their job and not just for political favours.
My comment should have read “I do wish he could have had a chance to lead the party”.
As Nigel Hunter mentions, it might not have been wise for him to stand right now, for health reasons.
But I would still like to hope that it is not too late. Vince Cable’s career gives reason for hope
@John Payne: “Am I right in assuming that those who are questioning whether Lib Dem’s should be celebrating this are republicans?”
Why would you necessarily assume that from my previous comment, Mr Payne? Personally, I am somewhat ambivalent on the republicanism vs constitutional monarchism debate – but that’s not the point here. I do not dispute that, in Norman’s case, his knighthood is well deserved for the reasons that others have expressed. However, I merely reflect the view that Norman is a relatively rare exception to the general rule that such honours are all too often awarded on the basis of mere celebrity, rank or time served – rather than genuine merit or achievement.
Not sure what the monarchy has to do with this. As a Frenchman Norman would long ago have been made a Knight of the Legion of Honour.
I really find it offensive when lists are produced with British Empire tags as a system of honours. The current mess that our country currently suffers is fuelled by post imperial fantasies that should have withered away long ago.