The dissolution honours have been published in full. When Vince Cable publishes his new book next month, he will do so as Sir Vince. There’s also a knighthood for Danny Alexander.
Nick Clegg has also rewarded Margaret Binks, his constituency office manager, Andy Sangar, his election agent and Ian Sherwood, a volunteer in his Commons office who had also served Ming Campbell and Charles Kennedy.
The list in full has been published here.
The Lib Dems are as follows:
Knights
- Rt Hon Daniel Alexander – Lately Chief Secretary to the Treasury. For political and public service
- Rt Hon Vincent Cable – Lately Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills. For political and public service
- Anthony Ullman – CEO, Autofil Worldwide Limited and lately Advisor to the Rt Hon Nick Clegg MP. For political service
Dames
- Rt Hon Annette Brooke OBE – Lately Member of Parliament for Mid Dorset and North Poole. For political and public service
- Philippa Harris – Co-founder, Neal Street Productions and lately Advisor to the Rt Hon Nick Clegg MP. For political service
CBE
- Duncan Greenland – Lately Chair of Trustees, Centre Forum. For political and public service
- Ian Wright – Director-General, Food and Drink Federation and lately Advisor to the Rt Hon Nick Clegg. For political and public service
OBE
- Richard Duncalf JP – Lately Strategic Adviser to the Deputy Prime Minister. For political and public service
- Matthew Hanney – Lately Special Adviser to the Deputy Prime Minister. For public service
- Hilary Stephenson – Deputy Chief Executive, Liberal Democrats. For political service
- Benjamin Williams – Lately Special Adviser to the Government Deputy Chief Whip. For public service
MBE
- Margaret Binks – Constituency Manager, Sheffield Hallam. For political service
- Councillor Shaffaq Mohammed – Councillor, Sheffield City Council. For political service
- Andrew Sangar – Councillor, Sheffield City Council and lately Election Agent to Rt Hon Nick Clegg MP. For political service
- Ian Sherwood – Lately Volunteer, Office of the Leader of the Liberal Democrats. For political service
* Caron Lindsay is Editor of Liberal Democrat Voice and blogs at Caron's Musings. You can find her on Bluesky at caronmlindsay.bsky.social
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43 Comments
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/lib-dems-prepare-to-release-an-avalanche-of-memoirs-of-the-coalitions-history-10431880.html
Authors should be careful to control their literary agents, so that they know and approve of serialisation deals with newspapers.
Anthony Ullman, CEO of Autofil, I see donated £ 30,000 last year just before the following happened as reported ion the local paper :
Tuesday 04 November 2014
An Annesley textiles factory could axe over 160 jobs and send them overseas to Bulgaria and Italy ‘where operating costs are much lower’. Workers at Autofil Yarns Ltd, on Sherwood Park, received a letter last Tuesday (28th October) in which the firm said it was ‘considering a number of proposals which could result in a number of redundancies’ over the next 28 months.
Frankly, I find this outrageous.
I hope this being the last major tranche of goodies for the guilty generation means we can try and get back to focusing on being a vehicle for political change, rather than personal advancement
I see no one on these lists to get angry about. If I was Nick, I would “reward” my constituency and parliamentary team. And all the new peers are committed to reform of the House of Lords.
Congrats to Andy Sangar, Shaffaq Mohammed and Maggie Binks. All well-earned.
On peerages to donors (in all parties) – I doubt there is a current or former MP – and good few Councillors, campaign staff and party activist volunteers who over the years have spent far more, or foregone career advancement or remuneration, than would appear to be the going donation rate for a peerage. I suspect more so in the Lib Dems, but that doesn’t take away from people in other parties, that a seat in the Lords seems to be a great deal cheaper than a seat in the Commons, and you don’t have to deal with the public or stand for election.
Adrian, to quote you :
“than would appear to be the going donation rate for a peerage”.
Are you implying that there is a going donation rate for a peerage ?
Congratulations to the undemocratic unelected Lib Dems appointed to the old boy network House of Lords club, don’t worry about enjoying yourselves in the subsidised restaurants and bars you won’t have to spend a penny of your own money because the taxpayer mugs are going to give loads of money see below. If any new members are not sure how to claim their daily maximum amount don’t worry there are already experienced Lib Dem Lords who will show you the ropes and how fill the claim forms it’s easy. The undemocratic unelected Lords do not represent the people of Scotland so they should be mindful to keep their noses out of Scotlands business.
Most members of the Lords do not receive a salary for their parliamentary duties but are eligible to receive allowances and, within certain limits, the travel expenses they incur in fulfilling their parliamentary duties.
Members who are not paid a salary may claim a flat rate attendance allowance of £150 or £300 for each sitting day they attend the House. This daily allowance replaces the separate overnight subsistence, day subsistence and office costs in the previous system. Entitlement is determined by attendance, not residence criteria.
Some members of the Lords receive a salary because of the offices they hold.
The Lord Speaker, the Chairman of Committees, and the Principal Deputy Chairman – paid from the House of Lords budget.
Government ministers – paid by the relevant government departments.
Members who receive a ministerial or office holders’ salary are not entitled to claim the allowances based on attendance.
Why are so many special advisors to Nick Clegg being reap warded? They didn’t advise him particularly well!
The selling of peerages is not so much implied but something of a statistical fact. Coverage on research by Mell, Radford and Thevoz this Spring (at http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/mar/21/revealed-link-life-peerages-party-donations):
‘.. individuals drawn from the “others” donated an average of a further £220,000 among Conservatives, £333,000 among Liberal Democrats and £464,000 among Labour nominees. If peerages are in effect being sold, the academics argue, “these could be thought of as the ‘average price’ per party.”’
David Raw http://www.economics.ox.ac.uk/materials/papers/13888/paper744.pdf and the Guardian suggested it was around £100k a couple of years ago.
Duncan Greenland CBE: Donated £316,858.95 to the LibDems since 2004, £31,000 of which went to Clegg’s constituency.
Richard Duncalf OBE: Donated £216,000 since 2007, including an individual £10,000 donation to Clegg.
Sir Anthony Ullman: Donated £108,000 in total, including £30,000 directly to Clegg four days before he visited Ullmann’s firm in 2013.
Ian Wright CBE: Donated £32,807.79 in addition to £9,000 to Clegg directly.
Shas Sheehan’s appointment has upset someone in the LDs:
http://blogs.spectator.co.uk/isabel-hardman/2015/08/the-lib-dem-scramble-for-peerages/
Richard Stallard.
Dear ne, that doesn’t look good.
It makes me think that the whole system is corrupt and there are no decent parties left any more. Sigh.
I am not against an honours system. It is right that constituency staff get recognition in the honours system. Not best paid, work long hours, dedicated to party and the MP they serve, in fact in many cases they are what keeps the MP in Parliament. They are the local reputation through their casework and organisation.
So why am I upset? I’m upset because one of the Clegg leadership legacies are over a hundred constituency office staff redundancies and from what I can see not one has been offered an honour.
Clegg said in an interview after the election he had rung every MP. I got a text message, but I’m not important. The people who lost their jobs overnight through no fault of their own didn’t even get that.
I can understand him wanting to honour those who worked for him in Sheffield or in his Westminster office, but surely their gongs should come after those who lost their jobs. The more I think about those loyal constituency office staff the more saddened I get.
No-one remotely connected with politics should be getting anything, whatever their party.
Honours should be for people who voluntarily do good for their communities – RNLI, Scouts, running youth sports teams etc. – and do it over and above whatever other job they may already have. The decision should be down to the Lord Lieutenants of every county (Her majesty’s representatives) and grubby politicians barred from nominating anyone – they can’t be trusted.
Clegg gets flak for ‘rewarding’ his people in Sheffield but there is no ‘reward’ for Joe Otten. Joe took the fight to Labour and the Greens in Sheffield and continues the fight now. Why no honours for one of the Lib Dems most prominent Councillors?
~@ David Raw-it is rather outraGOUS YES-=BUT LIB DEMS PRESUMABLY BELIEVE IN THE FREE MO VEMENT OF CAPITAL-IT IS AFTER ALL A FOUNDING PRINCIPAL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION…
“Clegg said in an interview after the election he had rung every MP. I got a text message…”
Not just you Adrian. When interviewed after Charles Kennedy’s death Nick Clegg was asked when he last spoke to Charles. Nick Clegg answered with reference to an exchange of texts. Of course this was probably because Charles was discreetly five about the calls he accepted.
1. @ Richard Stallard : “The decision should be down to the Lord Lieutenants of every county (Her majesty’s representatives)” And who appoints the Lord Lieutenants and to whom are they democratically accountable to ? It’s Alice in Wonderland writ large.
2. Why did our dear departed leader give a gong to the Director General of the Food and Drink Federation ?
The F. D.F. is a vested interest lobby group resisting all attempts to reduce salt and sugar in ready meals at a time of rising obesity, diabetes, coronary issues, blood pressure and liver failure ? It also managed to kick minimum pricing of alcohol into touch. The cost to the already over-stretched NHS will be exponential – and to the health and happiness of the people absolutely devastating.. I think we’re entitled to know why – expect a question at the Assembly.
Tim – a self denying ordinance not to dish out gongs to donors would help to clean out the stable.
On Duncan Greenland, people should be aware that he’s not some remote donor, he’s somebody who has served this party for a very long time. He was chair of the Federal Finance and Administration Committee until a couple of years ago. He was one of the trustees of the Party. He is now involved with Lib Dems Ltd, which is what the trustees became.
It’s rather like that Liberator article which savaged Peter Dunphy the current FFAC Chair – he, too, has been around in the party for virtually all his life and none of that was taken into consideration – although Liberator were good enough to give him a right of reply in the most recent issue in which he was able to explain all of that.
I may be less than impressed with the way that the honours have been drawn up, but that’s because I’m horrified at the lack of appreciation for the contributions of many women.
” And who appoints the Lord Lieutenants and to whom are they democratically accountable to ?”
Yes, they are recommended by the PM, but most aren’t particularly political (particularly the ex military). Although you’re right – in recent times there has been an unfortunate tendency to appoint business types to the role, which does undermine their credibility a bit.
It’s a joke that we’re even participating in this rotten system. Don’t nominate any more and fight to elect the Lords and scrap the honours system.
@ Richard Stallard…. Lord Lieutenants…. “most aren’t particularly political (particularly the ex military”.)
Put the retired county Colonels in charge of dishing out a gong………… Ding Dong,…. Rule Britannia.
Come on, Richard, the whole rotten system props up patronage, the establishment and back scratching. It’s the last thing a radical Liberal ought to want.
“Put the retired county Colonels in charge of dishing out a gong”
A good idea but since most of the old county regiments have now been amalgamated, there aren’t many left. Besides which, why restrict it to infantry? What about those who served in the Combat Support Arms or the RN/RAF?
I don’t think you’ve thought it through.
By the way – I’m certainly not a “radical Liberal” – bloomin’ cheek!
Those who refused honours may wish to say why:
1) it might be a disadvantage when seeking election / re-election?
2) a dislike of the honours system?
3) the honour offered was inadequate?
The timing of the announcements seem to have caught some newspapers by surprise, thereby giving an advantage to electronic media.
Page 33 of The Times has an editorial entitled “Lords Above”
“David Cameron’s approach to ennoblement has been costly and constitutionally irresponsible. The appointments system need to change”
It is a pity that this is behind a paywall (although we get our copy free from a supermarket).
They start with Clement Atlee’s joke that the House of Lords is “like a glass of champagne that has stood for five days”, which may predate the creation of life peerages.
Among their criticisms and recommendations they say
” … the government should consider doing away with life peerages and introducing limited, albeit long and renewable, terms.”
We should note that Rupert Murdoch does not have a peerage, although other chiefs of large circulation newspapers have done so, some of who had controversial histories.
The Times is a stablemate of The Sun and sometimes echoes a line which the Sun is taking. When Rupert Murdoch’s business interests bought The Times and The Sunday Times from Lord Thomson’s business interests the acclaimed Howard Evans was appointed as the editor of The Times. On the first publication day of the then broadsheet newspaper there was on page three a nude model.
http://saltyt.antville.org/stories/250110
The Australian-born Rupert Murdoch was interviewed on TV and denied that he was taking The Times downmarket, saying that he was going upmarket, which may have meant that the proprietor of The Sun had bought The Times.
He is currently a citizen of the USA (which has a constitution) and is forbidden from taking an honour in a foreign country (although a member of Ronald Reagan’s cabinet was honoured).
Another factor would be the history of The News of the World and Rupert Murdoch’s apology. Is there a statute of limitations in the UK? There is in some other countries..
Congratulations to my colleagues Cllr Andy Sangar, Cllr Shaffaq Mohammed and Maggie Binks on their MBEs. All very richly deserved for their years of service to the community in Sheffield and to the Lib Dems.
Congratulations also to other recipients and thanks also for their service and contributions, including those Liberal Democrats who support us through donations. Some Liberals give their spare time, some Liberals give their spare cash (a few lucky people have both) and it would be fair to say that without the latter, the former would have a lot more spare time! It would be churlish not to recognise the efforts and contributions to public life, Liberalism and the Liberal Democrats from both groups.
Not keen on therm personally but intrigued at the MBE distribution. Anyone outside Sheffield/the Leader’s office considered eligible?
As someone living and campaigning in the N.E. of England I find it disappointing that, apart from Alan Beith, I do not recognise a single name from the region who is in receipt of a ‘gong’ at any level. We have many members who have given decades of public service in the Labour fortress of Tyneside, Wearside and Teesside. In Gateshead alone (my own local party), there are councillors who have served with distinction for almost 30 years who still turn out on the doorstep week in, week out. As a local party we gained the distinction of being the regions best campaigning party last year. However there is a complete failure to recognise anyone in the region when honours are proposed. I trust that next time the gongs are dished out, those who recommend the party faithful for honours will look north of Sheffield!!
@Joe Otten
“Congrats to Andy Sangar, Shaffaq Mohammed and Maggie Binks. All well-earned.”
Er… how? Why does Clegg have to use the honours system to show gratitude to his staff? Wouldn’t a card and a box of chocolates have been more appropriate?
As for Cable and Alexander – you really don’t have to do much to get a knighthood these days.
@ Stuart,
If you’re going to ridicule the honours system altogether, then fine, go ahead, don’t let me stop you.
But I would suggest that five years as a Cabinet Minister is probably not the easiest gig in the world and, in any event, most such people generally get a peerage.
On a personal note, I first ran into Andy Sangar more than a quarter of a century ago, and he is well worth an OBE in my opinion for his dedicated public service to the people of Sheffield which dates well beyond his association with Nick Clegg.
Do try to restrain yourself from personal abuse of individuals that you don’t know – it devalues your contribution to the debate.
@Mark Valladares
Since when is it “personal abuse” to question whether someone is deserving of a gong? Your comment is a massive over-reaction to what I actually said.
We all know people who have dedicated their lives to public service. There are plenty of people in my family who have spent decades saving lives in A&E units and intensive care wards, or teaching children in deprived areas. No OBEs asked for or given. I think it’s perfectly reasonable for me to ask why Nick Clegg’s “constituency manager” is deserving of a public honour that 99.99% of the rest of us will never receive.
@ Stuart,
Yes, it is perfectly reasonable to ask the question, but you went further than that, implying that they weren’t well-earned, based solely on your dislike of a third party. Do you have any idea what else Andy Sangar has done? Probably not. So, I’ve suggested that your comment represents personal abuse. That is, I recall, my right.
And yes, as a public servant myself, I am well aware that there are plenty of people out there who do all of the things you list. And, strangely enough, some of them get OBEs and the like too. Not all of them, but some of them. Check the Honours List next time it comes out, if you like.
Funnily enough, local councillors serve their communities too, regardless of party label. You might not agree with their individual decisions, but they mostly act in what they believe to be the best interests of their communities for very little in the way of reward – my local district councillor worked out once that he is compensated to the tune of about £1.53 per hour, and has to meet his expenses from that too.
@Mark Valladares
I am well aware that people in all walks of life receive honours, but you will also be well aware that people connected with politics get a hugely disproportionate amount.
It is risible for you to claim that asking (and yes, I only asked) whether someone deserves a gong is “personal abuse”. Your comment is far closer to abuse than mine was. My question is valid and still stands.
@Mark Valladares
“my local district councillor worked out once that he is compensated to the tune of about £1.53 per hour”
My teenage son spends a lot of time working in a charity shop for which he is compensated to the tune of zero pounds per hour. In fact it costs him money to get to and from there. What’s that worth – a knighthood?
@ Stuart,
Funnily enough, anyone can nominate anyone for an honour. Have you done so? If not, why not? It should come as little surprise that politicians get a disproportionate amount of honours (assuming that they do – I haven’t looked at the figures) if they are aware of the system and use it.
A dissolution honours list is different, a point which seems to have been lost in the debate. It is, if you like, the ultimate form of patronage, as it stems solely from the recommendations of the party leaders at the last election, whereas the Queens Birthday and New Year lists predominantly come from recommendations made by the general public. There are quite a lot of civil servants, local government officials and the like in them – as a civil servant, I am asked if I want to nominate anyone (I never have done, but there you go).
Your son clearly wants to do something for the charity he supports, and it is great that he is doing that, but it’s rather irrelevant to the argument, unless you are suggesting that we should just do away with honours all together. Are you?
Mark Valladares makes a very good point. Anyone can nominate for honours and this is just the dissolution honours list.
I downloaded the nomination form about six months ago, but never got around to filling it in. We should get onto it.
https://www.gov.uk/honours/nominate-someone-in-the-uk
Yes, Mark. I have nominated someone for an honour. When Mrs Thatcher was Prime Minister, I wrote in and nominated Jimmy Savile to be knighted. And he was.
With that track record, I won’t be repeating the exercise.
Poetic justice, or injustice? Vince Cable and Danny Alexander, finally treated as equals!
@Paul Walter
Jimmy Savile was knighted three years before the Major government introduced public nominations.
@Mark @Eddie
Call me cynical, but I suspect if I “nominated” one of my work colleagues for an honour, my chances would be slightly less than Nick Clegg’s…
These are public honours granted by the state. You still haven’t given me one good reason why a “constituency manager” should get such recognition from the state, in preference to everybody else in the country.