Bercow snubbed

Bad luck to former Speaker John Bercow, who has not received an honour this year. He has been beaten to it by, among others, Olivia Newton-john and Iain Duncan Smith. The honours list is always full of mystery – the DCB for Alison Saunders, who was a disastrous director of public prosecutions, was bizarre – but also genuine selflessness. This year’s list includes a couple who fostered 39 children and a woman who set up a charity to support the bereaved after she lost her son and husband within days of each other. There is also a lot of talent on the list, including dramatist James Graham and golfer Catriona Matthew. Britain has a great deal to be proud of.

One name that stands out is Harry Billinge, a veteran of the D-day landings who raised money for a war memorial. When shown what his fundraising had achieved on BBC Breakfast, he fell silent and was visibly moved. “It was a job to do,” he said of his military service. “All these fellas did a good job.” He also demonstrated some old-fashioned chivalry when he gave presenter Naga Munchetty a kiss on the hand. In the midst of our 21st-century melodrama, Mr Billinge was a reminder of a much tougher time and the bulldog spirit that got people through it.

As for Mr Bercow, no doubt the controversy surrounding his tenure in the Speaker’s chair has played a role in denying him an honour, but given how much work he seems to get shouting “orderrrr” for the amusement of others, perhaps in a few years time he will receive some recognition for his services to drama? Or he could bypass the honours system altogether by landing a role as a panto dame. “Arise, Dame Bercow, of the Assembly Hall Theatre, Tunbridge Wells.”