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When it comes to granting lifetime honours, Boris Johnson has consistently prioritized cronyism and ignored established conventions. However, the latest revelations are truly astonishing, especially considering that MPs are about to discuss the privileges committee report on Mr. Johnson’s deceit over Partygate. A video surfaced on Sunday showing Conservative staffers engaging in a 2020 Christmas “jingle and mingle” event that blatantly violated lockdown rules. It is highly unlikely that Mr. Johnson was unaware of this event, yet at least two individuals present at the party were included on his resignation honours list.
Voters place great importance on honesty and integrity in politics, qualities that Mr. Johnson clearly lacks. By approving this list, Rishi Sunak either aligns himself with his disgraced predecessor or shows weakness in his inability to prevent it. The government has justified its actions as “due process,” claiming that prime ministers routinely endorse appointments approved by peers. However, Mr. Johnson has not respected these norms. His unprecedented departure, marked by being found guilty of lying by the highest court in Parliament, speaks volumes. As the current prime minister responsible for recommending honours, Mr. Sunak would have been justified in rejecting Mr. Johnson’s list. He should have done so.
The issue of sleaze reaches not only Downing Street but also Buckingham Palace. Professor Meg Russell of University College London’s Constitution Unit argues that Mr. Johnson’s nominations have put the Crown’s birthday honours list at risk, as they undermine the credibility of titles that many past recipients have rightfully earned. Prof. Russell also expresses concern that even Mr. Johnson’s list was officially issued in the name of the King, potentially drawing the monarch into political controversy. It is difficult to disagree with Prof. Russell’s viewpoint.
There is clearly a significant problem with the governance of Britain. The rewards granted to Conservative party donors and political allies in the form of peerages and honors since 2010 have revealed a lack of legitimacy that erodes the authority of the state. Sir Keir Starmer, in an attempt to portray the opposition as more scrupulous than the government, has ruled out creating a resignation honours list in the future. Mr. Sunak has offered no defense for the recent happenings and instead chosen to defend his inaction. There is no justification for maintaining the status quo.
If nothing is done, Sir Keir should consider introducing legislation to revoke Mr. Johnson’s honours list once in office. It is in the House of Lords where action is most urgently needed. Labour should implement Gordon Brown’s plans to replace the House of Lords with an elected assembly. The Conservatives have failed to propose any new initiatives for Lords reform in over a decade.
Mr. Johnson’s disreputable actions raise questions about the governance of the country and by whom. It is necessary to reduce the size of the bloated upper chamber, remove the remaining hereditary peers, and establish stricter quality control for appointments, starting with the prime minister’s resignation honours list. Creating a system that acknowledges the public’s interest in matters of patronage and can prevent its most blatant abuses should be the top priority.
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