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