Honours reform

To The Times

19 July 2004


Sir,

the political patronage inherent in the honours list serves a valuable function. It enables political parties to reward donors and activists whom they would rather not allow a role in policy formation. In the United States, such people are made ambassadors. A great deal of pro-Nazi intrigue could have been avoided if President Roosevelt had had the option of appointing Joseph Kennedy as Duke of Massachusetts.

Yours truly,

Quentin Langley

Copyright © Quentin Langley 19 July 2004

View article with menu

All information © copyright Quentin Langley 2024
Contact editor@quentinlangley.net