Memorandum by John Riley (HON 30)
I share many of your concerns about the system
but I do not want the awarding of honours to be discontinued.
I feel that, when done properly, awards can be a very positive
aspect of public life and an encouragement and worthy prize to
people who have made an outstanding contribution to public life
or made a sacrifice for the country or community.
It is therefore the selection of candidates
that requires alteration and change. There are far too many cases
where inappropriate awards have been given and it is embarrassing
to see the Queen being humiliated by giving out such awards. Let
me give you examples:
1. The veteran broadcaster Jimmy Young was
knighted for "services to broadcasting". Jimmy Young
was a popular broadcaster. But he was paid a large salary and
he worked a few hours each week in pleasant surroundings. It is
utterly outrageous that he should be knighted—he was just
doing a job.
2. Similarly, a senior civil servant (almost)
automatically receives an award at retirement. Why?
3. Mick Jagger was given a knighthood. For
what? For bad behaviour, drug-taking, womanising or simply enjoying
himself and getting rich at the same time?
We should be much more careful in finding candidates
for awards.
February 2004
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