Osborne tops ex-PM's honours list....

[Hastings gull]

Brown didn't resign as PM. He lost.

You might be thinking if Blair, but he didn't do one.

Thanks. Nice to have a response that does not fall to other's level. Yes, of course he did not resign; the point was that all PMs do this when they leave office.

 

[The Albion Roar]

Thanks. Nice to have a response that does not fall to other's level. Yes, of course he did not resign; the point was that all PMs do this when they leave office.

They are entitled to but not all do. As I said, Blair didn't.

 

[beorhthelm]

Run out of brown envelopes, had he?


Really about time for an overhaul of this stupid system. How about stipulating a finite number in each category? So you could only award an MBE, CBE, Knighthood or whatever when such an honour became available due to the previous incumbent dying or being stripped of the honour.

this isnt brown envelopes though. peerages aside, the honours are a free bauble that cost nothing, bestows no financial gain, no power or privilege. just a bit of prestige, a bit of garnish to some peoples career, or recognition of doing some civic duty for the vast majority of recipients. people are getting their nickers in a twist over this, the whole point of the honours list is that its a non-financial decoration to doll out.

peers are another matter, dont think the PM should have much say other than a couple of nominations.

 

[Hastings gull]

this isnt brown envelopes though. peerages aside, the honours are a free bauble that cost nothing, bestows no financial gain, no power or privilege. just a bit of prestige, a bit of garnish to some peoples career, or recognition of doing some civic duty for the vast majority of recipients. people are getting their nickers in a twist over this, the whole point of the honours list is that its a non-financial decoration to doll out.

peers are another matter, dont think the PM should have much say other than a couple of nominations.

Whilst this is no doubt true, and that money probably is not the issue, albeit directly,( mention of a title might be used in the future to gain influence and thus reward) it is the principle that would seem to annoy so many. Most folk would not see a gong for doing her ladyship's hair (ok, admittedly rather simply put) as on the same level as someone who had devoted their life to others for no apparent gain. If you walked, say, 100 miles for charity, and got a well deserved certificate, you might not be so pleased to discover that the person who walked 5 miles got exactly the same. This is human nature with its desire for fairness to be seen to operate. I am not sure, but imagine that most folk would be in favour of a system that rewards others in a non-financial way, but surely this sort of thing must be stopped.

Peers are different, as you say, as this presumably prolongs the gravy-train mentality. Will it ever change?

 

[Hastings gull]

They are entitled to but not all do. As I said, Blair didn't.

Yes, you are right -I meant "all" in general terms, in that ex PMs of all parties do it. Thanks.

 

[vegster]

And Shami Chakrabarti, head of Jeremy Corbyn's 'independent' anti-Semitism report, is nominated for a peerage by Jeremy Corbyn.

Dame Shami of Whitewash

Mind you, she does good work. It was great fun when Jon Gaunt turned to her for help and advice ( despite slagging her off for years) when he tried to defend his comments about Nazis on Talksport.

 

[Medwayseagull]

Dave to Sam - "I've got a few gongs to throw around -can you think of anybody ?" Sam " Not really but my stylist makes my hair and nails look nice so let's give her one." Dave "Good idea let's make an even greater mockery of the system than already exists".

 

[scamander]

what's truly interesting is that the media have run with this (i.e. the papers). Presumably a few editors or the like didn't get a bauble they'd been promised.

 

[maltaseagull]

Brown didn't resign as PM. He lost.

You might be thinking if Blair, but he didn't do one.

Both sides are full of sleaze!
"Former Prime Minister Tony Blair did not issue a list, apparently because of the "Cash for Honours" scandal."

The whole honors system should be reviewed and only given for truly special service/efforts.
Win Wimbledon and get an honour FFS! He got a million quid for it!

 

[Triggaaar]

Really about time for an overhaul of this stupid system.

Yep.

How about stipulating a finite number in each category?

If that number is zero, I agree (number that the PM can award).

 

[The Albion Roar]

this isnt brown envelopes though. peerages aside, the honours are a free bauble that cost nothing, bestows no financial gain, no power or privilege. just a bit of prestige, a bit of garnish to some peoples career, or recognition of doing some civic duty for the vast majority of recipients. people are getting their nickers in a twist over this, the whole point of the honours list is that its a non-financial decoration to doll out.

peers are another matter, dont think the PM should have much say other than a couple of nominations.

Acquiring a peerage has been, and still is, a method of sourcing some power and influence for yourself - should you feel so inclined. And many have taken advantage. You find yourself within the corridors of power, able to influence laws and have access to the powerbrokers themselves.

And there is some money directly involved in becoming a peer - though not a King's ransom in the great scheme of things. You don't get anything for receiving the peerage itself, but they do get an attendance allowance at the House of Lords. Some take advantage more than others, it would seem...

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/u...im-360k-expenses-without-voting-10457749.html

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...ds-peer-gets-300-day-walk-200-yards-work.html

 

[JC Footy Genius]

Nice to see Will Straw (Remain Campaign Chief/son of Jack) getting a gong for doing such a great job.