Who get the gongs?
ONCE again Britain’s New Year’s Honours List has been published. I have to admit I think it’s a load of rubbish. I have never understood why people like ambassadors and civil servants get knighthoods for basically doing their job. Is it to make up for not being paid enough? Why does Gordon Ramsey, a loud-mouthed celebrity TV chef, get an OBE? Why give ‘gongs’ to those who already seem overpaid for what they do? Why is it still possible, as is suggested, to buy an award by giving money to a political party? Let’s face it, many large donations to charities are often made because of the tax-breaks available.
I find myself more interested in those who refuse the honour than those who take it. JG Ballard, the novelist, famously refused his CBE for ‘services to literature’, calling it a “preposterous charade” adding, “I think it is exploited by politicians and always has been.” I agree. Occasionally those people who really deserve it for bravery and service to the community are recognised but generally it is a total sham. Our real heroes go unsung and ungonged.
Those in the past who have reportedly refused awards are Philip Larkin, Roald Dahl, LS Lowry, Nigella Lawson, David Bowie, Vanessa Redgrave, Albert Finney, Jon Snow, Graham Greene and John le Carre. There are, without doubt, many more and the list will grow. The ‘refuseniks’ club starts to seem more interesting than the acceptances. Of course the refusals list is a closely guarded secret, not even allowed to be released under the thirty year rule.
In the year when Lennon died it is interesting to remember that he returned his MBE four years after accepting it in 1965. In the accompanying note he wrote: “Your Majesty, I am returning this in protest against Britain’s involvement in the Nigeria-Biafra thing, against our support of America in Vietnam, and against Cold Turkey slipping down the charts. With love. John Lennon of Bag.” That does sound a bit childish now and I am not convinced that returning your award retrospectively has the same impact.
Of course, sometimes honours are refused because they are not considered good enough. Alfred Hitchcock refused his CBE but then accepted his Knighthood. Bit like a game of poker, if you hold out maybe you can improve your hand.
The cleaner, Maureen Croom, who had been at Downing Street for eleven years was awarded an MBE. Now I am sure she was a very good cleaner, discreet and hard-working but why did she deserve it any more than the chap who cleans the loos at Waterloo station?
The whole system is arbitrary and riddled with nepotism and secrecy. It needs a total overhaul if it is to be a worthwhile reflection of people’s achievement. It needs to be open and democratic. I think awards should be for those who give up their time voluntarily, who do not have a political agenda and who without recognition would be our unsung heroes. By all means honour celebrities, but not for their ability to rant on TV, read the news, compere talent shows but for their time given freely behind the scenes in charitable work. I wonder who you would nominate for a knighthood and why?
