VINCE CABLE: CRONYISM STINKS
RURITANIA is an imaginary and ridiculous little country which film buffs will know was once ruled by Peter Sellers, previously of The Goon Show. He made himself popular by handing out medals, honours and membership of the aristocracy to all and sundry. Britain 2016? The parallels are uncomfortable.
And I speak as one who took a knighthood but turned down a peerage, as I will explain later.
David Cameron has set a new standard of generosity in thanking his staff and friends through the honours system. He is a very courteous man who would always say ‘thank you’.
But the crowd of aides who came to the door of No10 to wave him goodbye were queuing up for more than a ‘thank you’. Most of them received an honour.
David Cameron isn’t the first Prime Minister to have left behind a nasty smell as a result of such cronyism. The great reforming Liberal Prime Minister and war leader David Lloyd George is now remembered for selling honours to replenish party funds.
Harold Wilson, who won four elections, is now remembered for his ‘lavender list’ ennobling his kitchen cabinet and various dubious businessmen. Even such austere and outstanding leaders as Clement Attlee and Margaret Thatcher felt the need to accept hereditary titles for their families.
Our current political mores have been shaped by almost two decades of Tony Blair and David Cameron. Both governed competently overall and made major, necessary reforms, but each will be remembered for one catastrophic error (Iraq, the referendum) and a departure shrouded in sleaze.
Britain is not unique in political corruption, cronyism and the buying of office. Donald Trump makes a virtue out of the fact his personal fortune has financed his rise rather than money from donors even dodgier than himself.
There are scandals aplenty in other leading democracies: Germany, France, Italy, India, Brazil. But none of them go so far as to make membership of one House of Parliament a tradable commodity, as we do.
Cynics would say the indignation over honours will pass. The public will complain that the system stinks but accept that it works tolerably well. And anyway, they will add, what is wrong with rewarding chums who have worked hard under pressure and shown loyalty.
Anyone who is so complacent as to excuse the Cameron list so easily is ignoring the rising tide of public disillusionment with our political institutions.
Post the expenses scandal, post the financial crisis, post referendum: many people no longer give politicians the benefit of the doubt. They simply assume that they are looking after themselves and their friends. And along comes Mr Cameron to prove them right.
THERE is an important distinction between ‘gongs’ – CBEs and OBEs up to knights and dames – and peerages. ‘Gongs’ are designed to recognise public service and the vast majority are non-political, well deserved and greatly valued. There are many remarkable people, unsung local heroes, and, sadly, only a fraction of them are formally recognised. An OBE for the Prime Minister’s wife’s style guru adds insult to their injury.
Honours inevitably pander to vanity, and I plead guilty.
I accepted a knighthood and