Every honours list throws up some controversy or other, such as whether a knighthood is linked to a political donation (a media favourite) or can be interpreted as some kind of political favour. Despite this, the Public Administration Select Committee took evidence which suggests that the honours system is broadly popular (81 per cent) and trusted by the public (71 per cent). This does not mean that the honours system is politically uncontroversial, with some MPs regarding it as corrupt and class-based, with others regarding the relationship with the Queen and the Empire Order as distinctly British and something to defend. (The present prime minister just restored the British Empire Medal.) Select Committees work best when there is consensus. Chairing a select committee with disparate views presents challenges!
The main thrust of our report is that more should be done to shore up the perceived and actual independence of the honours system, and to dispel the idea that certain jobs and professions always get gongs.
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