Peerages for Pounds
A Peerage ought to be a curious anachronism in the twentieth (ed: someone pass her a cup of black coffee, now!) twenty-first century; but sadly for as long as the 'upper' chamber of the British parliament continues to be an non-elected body with responsibility for legislative oversight and the power to amend and obstruct what happens to and within it continues to be important.
Earlier this year, before the trouser antics of the Deputy Prime Minister and the implosion of the Home Office combined to drive the story from any sort of prominence in mainstream and mass-circulation media, the chattering classes were exhibiting mild symptoms of anxiety at news that the Labour administration has been in the habit of exchanging peerages for party funding. Hmm.
As a result of the kerfuffle kicked up some of these 'donors' took their money and retreated to the safety of Monte Carlo and certain nominations for peerages were quietly withdrawn.
Today, as we're drowning in coverage of the love in between George Bush and Tony Blair, and as we're told yet again how high the regard for Blair is in Washington and how charismatic Americans find him (!) this has slipped into the public domain:
Properly developed this story should ensure that TB's resignation honours list is submitted to the House of Lords Appointments Commission - established by TB in 2000 to bring some semblance of the appearance of probity to the process of House of Lords appointments.
On the other hand, should TB stand firm on his prerogative as retiring PM and submit his list un-vetted this behaviour should have little impact on his chances of securing the job of Secretary-General of the UN for which he's so obviously angling; which is excellent given what a poisoned chalice that should prove to be.
Earlier this year, before the trouser antics of the Deputy Prime Minister and the implosion of the Home Office combined to drive the story from any sort of prominence in mainstream and mass-circulation media, the chattering classes were exhibiting mild symptoms of anxiety at news that the Labour administration has been in the habit of exchanging peerages for party funding. Hmm.
As a result of the kerfuffle kicked up some of these 'donors' took their money and retreated to the safety of Monte Carlo and certain nominations for peerages were quietly withdrawn.
Today, as we're drowning in coverage of the love in between George Bush and Tony Blair, and as we're told yet again how high the regard for Blair is in Washington and how charismatic Americans find him (!) this has slipped into the public domain:
Millionaire donors whose peerages have been blocked have been told by Labour party chiefs that they are still in line for honours.
The Times has learnt that Tony Blair may put the nominees on his resignation honours list, which would by pass the vetting that prevented them from getting honours in the first place.
Properly developed this story should ensure that TB's resignation honours list is submitted to the House of Lords Appointments Commission - established by TB in 2000 to bring some semblance of the appearance of probity to the process of House of Lords appointments.
On the other hand, should TB stand firm on his prerogative as retiring PM and submit his list un-vetted this behaviour should have little impact on his chances of securing the job of Secretary-General of the UN for which he's so obviously angling; which is excellent given what a poisoned chalice that should prove to be.
posted by Enyo @ 11:46 am
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