I've just been flicking through the New Years Honours list. To be honest I think the whole thing has become completely devalued in recent years with too much emphasis on the celebrities who get a gong, to the exclusion of those who personify true excellence in their own fields. It says a lot that Norfolk Blogger felt it necessary to write a blogpost bemoaning the lack of a Knighthood for Bruce Forsyth, who, incidentally, already has a CBE. What Norfolk Blogger is saying is that Forsyth should get a K for presenting Strictly Come Dancing, because that has been the only thing of significance (if that is the right word) since he was awarded the CBE in 2006. Utterly preposterous.
I was also interested to see the excellent historian David Cannadine got a Knighthood, with his wife Linda Colley also getting a CBE for services to historical studies. It would be interesting to know under what criteria these honours were awarded. While I am in no way critical of these two awards, I would love to know on what basis David Cannadine deserves a Knighthood yet the peerless Professor Peter Hennessy hasn't even got an MBE. Could it be anything to do with the fact that the Cannadines, as well as being superb historians, are very 'in' with the Labour Party, whereas Hennessy is a thorn in their side (as he is with all parties, to be fair)? It is this sort of suspicion which brings the whole honours system into disrepute. And I am fully aware it went on under the Conservatives too.
If ever there was an historian who deserved recognition for his work on the conduct of government it is surely Peter Hennessy. He is far more deserving of a 'Knighthood campaign' than Bruce Forsyth.
30 comments:
Iain,
Do remember that people can turn honours down. Hennesey might have felt he would be compromised by accepting an honour from the government.
Several other people have turned down gongs. I don;t have a problem with the system but do admire people who turn them down and then never let on (unlike a few lefties who make a political point of it.)
Best wishes
James
http://jameshannam.com
I think you should have a knighthood Iain, and I should quite like a CBE - what do you reckon we have a joint blog campaign in 2009?
Forsyth is a legend Iain. The man is out of bounds in terms of criticism. You're way out of line here.
Er, please point to where I criticised Bruce Forsyth. If he were to get a Knighthood he should have got it in 2006 and I certainly wouldn't have complained about it.
I am a big fan of Brice Forsyth, although not of Strictly Come Dancing, it has to be said!
I think what annoys many people about the lack of a knighthood for Bruce Forsyth is that if he had been doing Shakespeare then he would have had one just about automatically many years ago.
It is much more difficult for someone in "light" entertainment to get one.
Alas, Mr Forsyth is way down the list of those who have been 'overlooked'.
The academics - in particular the philosophers and theologians - are frequently ignored, especially those of the Right. And what politician dares to accept an honour in the present climate?
But in an age obsessed by 'celebrity', what of Sir Christopher Lee? What of Sir Tom Courtney? What of Dame Wendy Craig?
Er, could it just be that Peter Hennessy doesn't want any sort of ridiculous Ruritanian gong? Could it be that he's been approached and said, "Well, thanks, but no thanks"? Could it be that this allows him to be a 'thorn in the side' to all sides?
While on the subject of showbiz gongs, given your reference to the egregious Forsyth, one striking anomaly remains the resolute failure to bung a knighthood towards Christopher Lee. He is an immensely dignified man, a fine actor who's still turning in impeccable performances (long after he was made CBE), an elegant, charming and profoundly good man.
To me he already is Sir Christopher Lee, but this lacuna by the establishment is as glaring as the overlooking of Graham Greene by the Nobel Committee, in favour of the vacuous Pinter.
I did also feel that Patrick Hennessey, whose books I have read should have been knighted as also Christopher Lee and Forsyth, if only the latter has been around for a long time. The twice-swimming medalist girl one of the medals also comes with breaking record held for decades is a mere OBE and the Scottish bicycler gets a knighthood. Come to think of it, swimming is a toughly competed event in Olympics compared to bicycling assisted by a techno bicycle.
Gosh, iain, your cornflakes must have been orft!
I fully support you on this rather stupid attempt by The Sun and others to get a Knighthood for Forsyth. WHY? He cannot do anything without idiot cards these days. What about Ronnie Corbett?
Actors such as Derek Jacobi, Tom Courtney, Is Patricia Routledge a Dame? Should be!
So many people are deserving of recognition. You hardly see those superb Consultants and Doctors in our NHS being honoured! Chief Executives and Chairmen yes but very, very few actual people at the sharp end.
I tried, in my time as a Chairman, to put Consultants, Doctors and Nurses up for awards! They had to go through a Regional Screening process!! before names were submitted by the quango running the regional NHS! None of my suggestions was pushed through!
All awards in that region came to Chief Execs etc!!
Again it is of only recent history when through years of protesting to the Home Office Police Constables, Sergeants etc were awarded the Queen's Police Medal, until that it was kept for senior ranks only! Yet it was created for all ranks.
In the Armed Forces non commissioned men and women can get the MBE (used to be the BEM) but only officers and above get the OBE onwards!
Perhaps very local committee's of non politicians or party members! could select people for LOCAL AWARDS with the sovereign's permission. So it would carry her authority. A Bottom up awards system rather than a top down one surely would be fairer.
It is right that people are awarded. They are loved by those that receive them. I speak as a recipient of an OBE! fully aware of the words people use about it!
But, Mr Forsyth. I am sure you treasure your CBE.
I join Mutley the Dog in a campaign for a Knighthood for you Iain.
norman said has a point. Could someone explain why Kelly Holmes-who won a superb two gold medals was made a DAME whilst- whilst Rebecca Addlington- who won a superb two gold medals- received an OBE. That was unfair and creates an uneasy feeling that needs to be addressed-urgently. Was it because she is white?
That proves the system to be unfair and needs addressing as a matter of urgency.
Iain, you get a Knighthood for a lifetime of work. Are you really suggesting that people only get honoured for what they ahve done since their last honour ? I could find plenty of retired Tory politicians who got honours for being retired !
And as other have said Iain, some people have a very snobbish attitude towards entertainment as opposed to more literary achievements.
The ability to make millions of people laugh for more than 50 years is worthy of reward.
I didn't say Bruce Forsyth was unworthy of an award. He got a CBE for a lifetime of achievement.
Becoming a knight does not mean you owe anyone anything. I'm sure Hennessy would continue to be a thorn in the side of all parties!
The Cabinet Office has already explained that Brucie will have to wait until 2011 as an elevated honour is not normally awarded within five years of a previous one.
Our campaign already has two supporters... thats great Sir Iain...
Iain,
As no petitions can be created whilst the Prime Minister is away!
Unfortunately I cannot create a Petition on the Number 10 website, namely:-
"To grant a Knighthood for Iain Dale a fairminded political commentator, a businessman and a good egg"
So on the 6th January could I ask
Mutley the dog, to do the honours, please, as I will be hospitalised for a new knee!
I'm behind the campaign too.
Sir Iain of Dale.
And Baron Mutley of Bridport.
A peerage is the very least I deserve :)
CP Snow's 'two cultures' alive and well I see. If anyone deserved a K (and it would have to be the personal gift of the Queen because the Kommissars wouldn't allow it) it would be Steve McIntyre for his honesty and assiduity in trying to understand our climate.
I think Mr C P Snow should be asked to support our campaign for Iains peerage, and my CBE...
Iain, set up the Facebook group for Hennessy ...
I would set up a facebook group but I have been banned... :-(
Hey, the best bit for us gays was Nick Partridge of THT getting a knighthood. Assuming he has a partner, that partner should now get some title - "Mignon" perhaps?.
I'm just surprised that Russell Brand and Jonathan Ross weren't given knighthoods myself.
Yes, I am being sarcastic...
Word verification: dampen (?)
Not to mention that Christopher Lee fought alongside the partizans in WW2.
1. I for one do not know Peter Henessey. David Cannadine I know (not personally). Extensively written on British Empire, metropole and margins, as well as post-imperial Britain, which he describes as de-Victorianization of UK.
2. Could it be because Cannadine just left his position as Director of the Institute of Historical Research at University of London and Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother Professor of History? Could it be that he has been teaching for 33 years while your Hennessey has been at it for all of 16 years?
3. For a conservative, you certainly take some very un-conservative stances. Remember Bagehot/Monarchy/mystique? Similarly, justification of honours takes away from their utility!! And yes, award of gongs has always had a disproportionate tinge of the party in power since, or, the times of the Glorious Revolution!! What matters is that different parties in power take different bites at the apple.
4. There are some issues you should steer away from commenting on if you are to be taken seriously!!!
HM Stanley, I think I will judge for myself what I comment on. You can feel free to disagree with it if you like!
I would transfer all honours to a department of the Royal Household and take them out of the PM's gift, depoliticising them
That said there is quite a systematic process for awarding honours and a website where you can nominate people which is likely to be considerably more successful than putting a petition on the No 10 website.
Its really only the tv media honours which devalue the system and that is the fault of the print media prostituting themselves for copy space.
The annoying thing is the lack of public guidelines.The website says an MBE is for local effort OBE for regional effort and CBE for national effort but there are curious anomalies. Endless Comprehensive School heads being made Knights because they are the general of a war zone. To get an award as a doctor you have to be an academic one and have as little contact with patients as physically possible.
But as Oscar Wilde remarked "Never speak slightingly of Society, only people who cant get into it do that." Mine's an OBE please or anything really.
No wayyyyyyyyyy should 'Brucie' receive a Knighthood! This government has made a habit of doling them out like they dole out benifits - basically to any Tom, Dick or Harry who whines on about it for long enough! They've become entirely devalued and synonymous with the culture of 'Celebrity.'
Post a Comment