This goes back to Harold Wilson in 1976 – so there is nothing new about controversial prime ministerial farewell honours lists.
Wilson’s retirement honours list was called the “Lavender List” because Marcia Williams (the head of his political office and herself ennobled as Baroness Falkender in the list) allegedly wrote the original draft on lavender-coloured notepaper.
All sorts of Harold Wilson’s colleagues and chums were honoured in the list. The most controversial of them was the bloke who made Wilson’s trademark Gannex macs – who became Baron Kagan. This was added to the fellow’s knighthood, which he received in Wilson’s previous resignation honours list in 1970, and no doubt comforted him (Kagan) as he spent time at, ahem, Her Majesty’s pleasure in 1981.
* Paul Walter is a Liberal Democrat activist and member of the Liberal Democrat Voice team. He blogs at Liberal Burblings.
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15 Comments
The honours system is a bit of a joke really.
Never mind the anachronistic titles themselves (member of the order of the British Empire…?) but when they are routinely given out to the sitting or departing PM’s staff or political friends they really do undermine those who actually deserve recognition for meritorious work or sacrifices to the nation.
I think the Lib Dems should call for a complete overhaul, if not the removal, of the entire system.
Careful, Paul. The Lib Dems have got their own problem issues with the honours system. Holier than thou can rebound.
It would be far better to get rid of the whole nonsense. It is based on vanity….. and sometimes……..worse than vanity. Going beyond peerages and knighthoods – orders of the British Empire are about the only thing left of the empire.
Agreed. Let’s be careful about unduly criticising the honours system. Our sainted Lloyd George was accused of raising funds for the Liberal party through a political fixer, Maundy Gregory, by operating a price list for peerages, ranging from £10,000 (more than £400,000 today) for a knighthood up to £40,000 for a baronetcy. The whisky millionaire Jimmy Buchanan is said to have heard rumours that more people were promised titles – and paid the money – than ever received them. He avoided any political backsliding by writing a hefty cheque – dated 2 January, the day after the list was to be announced – to “The Lloyd George political fund” and signing with his preferred title. He duly became Baron Woolavington, for being a “generous supporter of many public and charitable objects”.
Mark Clark, you do not have need of calling Lloyd George that word you do and I shall not say , as David Raw and myself , share similar views on the so called “wizard “!
Actually I believe in the honours , but not the system. To get and give them is a good thing if they are got and given for good things !
They too often are not .
We should re name the E , as in Empire , excellence , as in Member of the Order of British Excellence.
The most important bit is buying a seat in Parliament. The DPM did try to change the House of Lords, but Labour spokesman Sadiq Khan MP and some Tory elders sank it.
“Her Majesty’s pleasure in 1981” not the precise sentence.
I believe that it’s good when countries reward those who have contributed to society, including their high flyers. What’s not good is rewarding those who happen to know the right people, or who put money in the right pockets.
Some complain that they are elitist, but if done right, they should be going to our elite scientists, engineers, athletes, artists and charity workers. We need to ensure that elite means being exceptional in your field, and not having gone to a very expensive school.
Regrettably the honours system is corrupt, self-serving and discredited, from the automatic gongs for senior civil servants and military officers to the political cronyism that forms the basis of the House of Lords. Knighthoods for loyal MPs who put party ahead of constituents have completed devalued the honour. Unfortunately this party is not immune from participating. Any reform has to remove titles, even for those already “honoured”, it has to remove Empire, it has to remove politicians from eligibility or nomination processes, it must be classless i.e. no BEM. Qualification must be documented and transparent. However, whilst the system is in the hands of those planning to benefit from it nothing will change.
Two Harold Wilson pics in three postings. Is LDV going ‘retro’? 😉
Fiona has quite rightly drawn attention to the fact that the vast majority of people who receive honours are people who have achieved (and are continuing to achieve) something in the communities in which they live and work- whether for a living or as voluntary contribution. Change the names of the “gongs” by all means. But our democratic honours system – after all, any person or organisation can nominate anyone – is an excellent way to reward courage, selfless dedication and outstanding achievement.
Three simple words destroy any Lib Dem criticism of political honours. Sir. Danny. Alexander.
@ Hywell….. you could have added Sir Cyril and Sir Clement…………..
The May 2015 list was an embarrassment. Don’t agree with the SNP on many things – but they’ve got it right on the honours issue.
When Sir Killalot has done more than many in this year’s crop (and probably more than many throughout the last century) and there is presumably a cost involved in the system, do we really need this system at all? If we do, do we need so many honoured each year when so many cronies and flash-in-the-pans are getting recognised? Here is somewhere you could reduce costs without anyone really noticing at all.
Having not said a dickybird when Lib Dem MPs were queing six deep to get their Ks Tim is now all over this issue.
Cynical or what.
The Liberal Democrats Part 94.
Radical in opposition. Abolish honours, makers of pledges etc.
Establishment in government. Honours, breakers of pledges etc.
Says it all really.