In a recent move, Rishi Sunak, the former Prime Minister, has faced criticism for giving out knighthoods to several senior Tories in his resignation honours list. This decision has been met with backlash from the public, with many accusing Sunak of rewarding failure and showing a lack of accountability.
Among those who have been given knighthoods are Michael Gove, Mark Harper, and Alister Jack, all former cabinet ministers. Sunak has also awarded knighthoods to James Cleverly, Jeremy Hunt, Grant Shapps, Mel Stride, and Andrew Mitchell, all of whom are current or former Tory MPs.
In total, Sunak has given out honours to 11 current and former Tory MPs, 18 former Tory advisers, two Tory councillors, and the party’s former chief executive. This has raised questions about the fairness and transparency of the honours system, with many questioning the criteria for these awards.
The decision to award knighthoods to these individuals has been met with widespread criticism, with many calling it a “reward for failure.” The fact that Sunak has chosen to honour his political allies and friends, despite their role in the Conservative party’s defeat in the last general election, has only added fuel to the fire.
Liberal Democrat deputy leader Daisy Cooper has condemned the honours list, stating that it is a “parade of political flunkies” who are being rewarded for their failures. She further added that these honours are a reflection of the Conservative government’s incompetence and the damage they have caused to the country.
The sentiment was echoed by Darren Hughes, chief executive of the Electoral Reform Society, who stated that this move will only further erode the public’s trust in politics. He criticized the “jobs for mates” approach of the Westminster elite and called for an end to this practice.
The public’s reaction to the honours list has been no less scathing, with many taking to social media to express their outrage. Journalist Ben Kentish highlighted the irony of Sunak’s list, which includes former Tory advisers, MPs, and councillors, while ignoring the hardworking public servants and national heroes who deserve recognition.
Another Twitter user, Abi Stevens, called the honours list “despicable” and accused the government of rewarding corruption and incompetence. Graham, a social media user, expressed his frustration by saying that the government might as well “stick two fingers up to everyone else in the country.”
Mike Pav, a Twitter user, called for an end to this “nonsense” and criticized Sunak for continuing the tradition of rewarding underwhelming politicians with titles.
This is not the first time Sunak has faced criticism for his decisions. In the past, he has been accused of being “tin-eared” and playing politics when he claimed that Labour needs to “stop playing politics.” His failure to vote for the smoking ban, despite it being his idea, has also raised questions about his commitment to public service.
In conclusion, Rishi Sunak’s resignation honours list has been met with widespread criticism and backlash. The decision to award knighthoods to former Tory MPs and advisers has been seen as a reward for failure and a reflection of the government’s incompetence. This move has only further eroded the public’s trust in politics and highlighted the need for reform in the honours system.
