Leicestershire Liberal Democrat candidate and health campaigner Zuffar Haq has been awarded an MBE in this year’s New Year’s Honours.

From Leicestershire Live:

“Another recipient of the MBE was Zuffar Haq, who was awarded for public and political service

Zuffar, of Oadby, is well-known as a campaigner who helped save the children’s heart unit at Glenfield Hospital. He has also stood for election for the Liberal Democrats in Parliamentary elections and runs a medical aid charity.

He said: “I am honoured, and humbled, to receive this award.

“Born and brought up in Leicester I have always felt it important to play a part in the community which has given my family and I so much.”

He began campaigning on health issues after his daughter, Mariam, was born with a life-limiting condition. She sadly passed away nine years ago but he continued campaigning for the health service.”

I’ve searched the list under political and local government, but haven’t spotted any other Liberal Democrat names but I may well have missed some. Please say in the comments if I have and I’ll add them in.

One thing that is quite striking is that a lot of Tory Brexiteers, like Edward Leigh and John Redwood pick up honours. It’s not like that could look dodgy in any way as a minority government fights for votes in an important imminent decision, of course.

UPDATE: Lawrence Fullick has pointed out that Dorchester Town Council’s Molly Rennie has been awarded the MBE for services to victims of domestic abuse and violence.

From the Dorset Echo?

Cllr Rennie, 71, has worked tirelessly in her community for more than 30 years but over the last decade her most influential role has been to raise awareness of domestic abuse.

Her voluntary work with victims of domestic violence includes being the Chairman of Dorchester Women’s Refuge, where she has raised hundreds of thousands of pounds.

Having established and opened the Refuge, she continued her support by regularly visiting, befriending, providing emotional support to staff, continuously fundraising and facilitating practical help from the wider community.

Cllr Rennie said: “I was surprised when I had a letter in November from the Cabinet Office, but I didn’t pay much attention to it at first.

“It’s not about me, it’s about all the people that we have been able to help through the support we give and raising awareness for domestic abuse.

“When I first got involved there was nothing but now there are so many people and places willing to help.

“The whole community wrapped themselves around this service from the beginning, we have got so many people out there wanting to make a difference.

“It’s important to continue this work because even now after all these years there are still people who don’t know that there is help out there for them.”

Cllr Rennie has been a key person in promoting Domestic Abuse Intervention Training (DAIT), co-ordinating and supporting courses and training people to recognise domestic abuse.

* Caron Lindsay is Editor of Liberal Democrat Voice and blogs at Caron's Musings. You can find her on Bluesky at caronmlindsay.bsky.social