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| Reform proposals for our Mickey Mouse honours system | Reform proposals for our Mickey Mouse honours system |
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| The latest honours list (Leaked ‘cronies’ honours list puts May under pressure, 1 August) looks likely to excite as much public distaste as the last one. It is bemusing that some people need honours to grease their vanity rather than just being paid for what they do. The problem is that the system is insusceptible to change. No matter how great the public revulsion, it is impossible to get traction on reforming what not only looks offensively anachronistic but also smells corrupt. | The latest honours list (Leaked ‘cronies’ honours list puts May under pressure, 1 August) looks likely to excite as much public distaste as the last one. It is bemusing that some people need honours to grease their vanity rather than just being paid for what they do. The problem is that the system is insusceptible to change. No matter how great the public revulsion, it is impossible to get traction on reforming what not only looks offensively anachronistic but also smells corrupt. |
| We have recently seen some very dark knights, whose behaviour could hardly be more obviously dishonourable. And indeed, the ferocious mendacity of the recent referendum campaign suggests that honour among politicians is rather more limited than one would wish. | We have recently seen some very dark knights, whose behaviour could hardly be more obviously dishonourable. And indeed, the ferocious mendacity of the recent referendum campaign suggests that honour among politicians is rather more limited than one would wish. |
| From our experience of reforming the House of Lords, we can see that significant change is a mirage, and that tinkering at the margins is unsatisfactory to all but the vested interests who make the decisions. Perhaps, if it cannot be reformed, the honours system should simply be scrapped in the interests of a fairer society in which the mass of people are valued. Or maybe we should redefine the word “honour” to match the squalor of the system.Dave HepworthRowland, Derbyshire | From our experience of reforming the House of Lords, we can see that significant change is a mirage, and that tinkering at the margins is unsatisfactory to all but the vested interests who make the decisions. Perhaps, if it cannot be reformed, the honours system should simply be scrapped in the interests of a fairer society in which the mass of people are valued. Or maybe we should redefine the word “honour” to match the squalor of the system.Dave HepworthRowland, Derbyshire |
| • It is far from “churlish to suggest a fundamental rethink” of the honours system, especially as David Cameron’s nominations reveal the same arrogance that led to his disastrous referendum decision (Time to overhaul an outdated, political and inglorious system, 1 August). Your editorial mentions the “inclusion of two businessmen” who also happened to be major donors to the Tory party, but omitted the point that Ian Taylor’s firm, Vitol, hit the headlines two years ago, when older news of a £550,000 donation was accompanied by the revelation that Vitol had paid 2.6% global tax on profits of £846m. | • It is far from “churlish to suggest a fundamental rethink” of the honours system, especially as David Cameron’s nominations reveal the same arrogance that led to his disastrous referendum decision (Time to overhaul an outdated, political and inglorious system, 1 August). Your editorial mentions the “inclusion of two businessmen” who also happened to be major donors to the Tory party, but omitted the point that Ian Taylor’s firm, Vitol, hit the headlines two years ago, when older news of a £550,000 donation was accompanied by the revelation that Vitol had paid 2.6% global tax on profits of £846m. |
| It is repugnant enough for the Tories to accept money that should have been paid to the Treasury, but shame on Cameron for honouring such people. If this isn’t the straw that breaks the already “tarnished” honours system’s back, surely nothing ever will?Bernie EvansLiverpool | It is repugnant enough for the Tories to accept money that should have been paid to the Treasury, but shame on Cameron for honouring such people. If this isn’t the straw that breaks the already “tarnished” honours system’s back, surely nothing ever will?Bernie EvansLiverpool |
| • Perhaps now is a good time for parliament to approve written rules under which honours may be awarded following prime ministerial resignations. I suggest that: lists should be restricted to a maximum of 10 nominations, and to people who have helped the PM and/or his government personally; honours should normally be restricted to MBE, OBE and CBE or similar awards, with knighthoods, companions of honour, etc only announced after cross-party approval has been achieved; party donors cannot be included; and there should be no honours for sitting politicians or creation of new peerages. | • Perhaps now is a good time for parliament to approve written rules under which honours may be awarded following prime ministerial resignations. I suggest that: lists should be restricted to a maximum of 10 nominations, and to people who have helped the PM and/or his government personally; honours should normally be restricted to MBE, OBE and CBE or similar awards, with knighthoods, companions of honour, etc only announced after cross-party approval has been achieved; party donors cannot be included; and there should be no honours for sitting politicians or creation of new peerages. |
| The last point is particularly important. New peerages can distort the fair balance of political power in favour of your party (plus the state pays your friends to sit in the Lords). New peers created should reflect the party’s share of voters’ allegiances. During six years in power, Cameron created a disproportionate number of Conservative peerages.Brian BeanLondon | The last point is particularly important. New peerages can distort the fair balance of political power in favour of your party (plus the state pays your friends to sit in the Lords). New peers created should reflect the party’s share of voters’ allegiances. During six years in power, Cameron created a disproportionate number of Conservative peerages.Brian BeanLondon |
| • What should be done about the present Mickey Mouse system of honours? Let anyone who wants an honour be able to buy one. We could start with a knighthood at, say, £5,000 and work upwards. The revenue from the sale of honours would be ringfenced to go towards good causes (mental health, for example). Then, gradually, anyone with an honour would be recognised as a contributor to a good cause. Charitable causes would benefit, tens of thousands (hopefully) would have the satisfaction of bearing an honour, and the present system would be rendered totally obsolete.Michael AbrahamLondon | • What should be done about the present Mickey Mouse system of honours? Let anyone who wants an honour be able to buy one. We could start with a knighthood at, say, £5,000 and work upwards. The revenue from the sale of honours would be ringfenced to go towards good causes (mental health, for example). Then, gradually, anyone with an honour would be recognised as a contributor to a good cause. Charitable causes would benefit, tens of thousands (hopefully) would have the satisfaction of bearing an honour, and the present system would be rendered totally obsolete.Michael AbrahamLondon |
| • After failing to create the “big society” he promised, or to deliver on the promise to lead the greenest government ever, David Cameron has been casting around for a legacy. By nominating the woman who chose his wife’s frocks he’s got it.Les BrightExeter, Devon | • After failing to create the “big society” he promised, or to deliver on the promise to lead the greenest government ever, David Cameron has been casting around for a legacy. By nominating the woman who chose his wife’s frocks he’s got it.Les BrightExeter, Devon |
| • The BBC has just concluded a stunning adaptation of Joseph Conrad’s The Secret Agent (Last night’s TV, 18 July). In 1924, in the last year of his life, Conrad declined a knighthood. I wonder why that small detail from Conrad’s life should have come to mind yesterday.Alan HallsworthWaterlooville, Hampshire | • The BBC has just concluded a stunning adaptation of Joseph Conrad’s The Secret Agent (Last night’s TV, 18 July). In 1924, in the last year of his life, Conrad declined a knighthood. I wonder why that small detail from Conrad’s life should have come to mind yesterday.Alan HallsworthWaterlooville, Hampshire |
| • If Theresa May really wants to send a strong message that her government is not just for the “privileged few” she’ll announce that there will be no such list when she leaves Downing Street.Hugh CooperCharing, Kent | • If Theresa May really wants to send a strong message that her government is not just for the “privileged few” she’ll announce that there will be no such list when she leaves Downing Street.Hugh CooperCharing, Kent |
| • It was only a matter of time – Hinkley Point and the honours scandal come together in the Fallon Gong controversy.Tim GrollmanLondon | • It was only a matter of time – Hinkley Point and the honours scandal come together in the Fallon Gong controversy.Tim GrollmanLondon |
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