If there was any remaining doubt that David Cameron’s resignation honours list was drawn up shamelessly to reward political flunkies it was removed this morning by Desmond Swayne, or Sir Desmond Swayne as we are now supposed to call him following the knighthood bestowed on him in the New Year’s honours. Sir Desmond said:
‘The reason we have a resignation honours list is because over a period of government, particularly difficult government in a coalition, a prime minister has to cajole and get the support of a number people and he builds up a debt of honour.
‘I think that frankly an honours list is a relatively light way of paying it off. I think we get far too excited about these things.’
That is pretty definite, then: Desmond is now Sir Desmond because he is a pathetic ‘yes’ man who has spent the past decade nodding in agreement with his boss.
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