New Year's Honours List (UK)

[vandermolen]

Here is a nice non-controversial topic. 
So, what are you views on this?
Do 'Posh Spice' etc deserve their honours?

[Dax]

Do 'Posh Spice' etc deserve their honours?

Oooooh! Controversial! Were she not famous for being famous etc . . .

I was very pleased that (in particular) Mo Farah received a knighthood - about time he got some official recognition. As a keen follower of some sports (of which athletics is one), I heartily approve of those who give us that much enjoyment receiving honours. That goes for those involved in the arts as well.

As for those politicians and businessmen who effectively "buy" their honours - well, don't get me started.

Sixty odd years ago, my school headmaster was awarded an OBE. He had been the youngest Brigadier in the British army during WW2. So celebrated were his connections that his references for the job of headmaster were reputed to have been Montgomery and Eisenhower. OBEs had to be earned in those days.

[Turner]

I doubt many dedicated, daily life social workers got honors or a knighthood (saying this without having done in depth research), & would suggest they picked 100, just for a start ...

[Dax]

Agreed. No controversy there.

[vandermolen]

Thanks Dax and Turner for your responses. I agree that Mo Farah is a very deserving cause. As for Victoria B maybe she gives lots of money to charity - I certainly hope so. I do not share the general animosity towards her but I'm sure there are more deserving candidates. I feel more about people like Sir John Scarlett who was the head of M.I.6 (or 5) largely responsible for the 'Dodgy Dossier' rubbished in the recent Chilcot Report.

[knight66]

It all gets spat out on one list. But it is really at least three lists which are brought together.

1) Political list of peerages and knightings, some very much deserved, others are blatently pay for political favours and some are nakedly purchased by way of party donations.

2) High profile citizens who have done something worthy or improved the reputation of the UK, there are often some political, (with a small p) aspects to the timing of these awards. Some are populist, others again very richly deserve being honoured. Obviously, there have been some bad mistakes made, such as Jimmy Savile and Cyril Smith. There is an element of background checks, but there were bad judgement calls.

3) Unknown people who have been brought to the attention of the Cabinet Office for consideration. Anyone can suggest anyone for a decoration. I can see why the public really more appreciate such people being rewarded for their selflessness and often bravery.

It seems curious to me that the anachronistic names of the medals including Empire have been retained. I was given an MBE a couple of years ago. The submission was from colleagues, it was within the Civil Service, so some would call it a time serving gong, but that was not what it felt like to me. To get one of these submissions through the Cabinet Office, there has to be a lot of evidence produced and any submission goes back and forth for additional information and clarifications. My citation was for major innovations and leadership. I don't use the designation publicaly but was very boosted that colleagues went through the trouble of making the submissions. I knew nothing about it as all until I got a letter from the Cabinet Office asking me whether I would be prepared to have my name go forward.

Mike

[vandermolen]

It all gets spat out on one list. But it is really at least three lists which are brought together.

1) Political list of peerages and knightings, some very much deserved, others are blatently pay for political favours and some are nakedly purchased by way of party donations.

2) High profile citizens who have done something worthy or improved the reputation of the UK, there are often some political, (with a small p) aspects to the timing of these awards. Some are populist, others again very richly deserve being honoured. Obviously, there have been some bad mistakes made, such as Jimmy Savile and Cyril Smith. There is an element of background checks, but there were bad judgement calls.

3) Unknown people who have been brought to the attention of the Cabinet Office for consideration. Anyone can suggest anyone for a decoration. I can see why the public really more appreciate such people being rewarded for their selflessness and often bravery.

It seems curious to me that the anachronistic names of the medals including Empire have been retained. I was given an MBE a couple of years ago. The submission was from colleagues, it was within the Civil Service, so some would call it a time serving gong, but that was not what it felt like to me. To get one of these submissions through the Cabinet Office, there has to be a lot of evidence produced and any submission goes back and forth for additional information and clarifications. My citation was for major innovations and leadership. I don't use the designation publicaly but was very boosted that colleagues went through the trouble of making the submissions. I knew nothing about it as all until I got a letter from the Cabinet Office asking me whether I would be prepared to have my name go forward.

Mike

Thanks very much for the clarification on how the system works and belated congratulations to you personally. 
Jeffrey