Letter: Honours should not be given to those who are simply doing their jobs
SIR – I read with consternation Cllr Derek Tipp’s arguments (Letters, 27th January) against Richard Grant (Letters, 13th January) questioning the honours system and in particular the knighthood bestowed upon Sir Julian Lewis MP.
Whilst I normally disagree with Mr Grant’s opinion (we are on the opposite side of the EU debate), I found myself in total agreement with his comments appertaining to a reward rather than a meritocracy system, which in simple terms mean honours for the boys.
The reasons Cllr Tipp gave in support of Sir Julian’s knighthood, in my view, give further credence to Mr Grant’s point about honours.
I appreciate that Sir Julian is a longstanding MP and has also served as chairman on parliamentary committees, but would point out that both are separately remunerated with index-linked pensions.
Remember, the basic MP’s salary is currently £84,144pa and a chairman of a select committee receives a further £16,865pa. Apart from his activities in support for the Conservative party, I can’t see that he has done anything outstanding outside of his daily job(s).
I am strongly of the opinion that honours should not be given to anyone for just doing the job for which they are remunerated. These include not only our political masters but county and local councillors, civil servants, senior members of the armed forces, and others.
Outside of government circles, sportsmen, actors, TV personalities etc are all in very well paid jobs and many receive honours for services for their particular role.
One exception I would make is those who use their position in society to promote charitable work and causes, but only if unpaid!
We should honour many of those who do voluntary and unpaid work to support their local or wider community and those who put themselves at risk to help others.
I recall many years ago when we had a mining industry, reading about miners volunteering to go back underground when there had been an explosion to rescue any survivors.
They deserved recognition but none was forthcoming. Perhaps they didn’t make good headlines, and certainly did not receive any honours!
Keith Cossey,
Hordle
