Awarding the George Cross to the NHS seems a bit much, though in keeping with our devotion to the aspirin-dispensing national religion. The health service has been bestowed the highest civilian gallantry medal for its public service and its handling of the Covid-19 pandemic.
It’s not that health professionals don’t deserve recognition. They do, though I’d have thought paying nurses better would be a more tangible nod. And it’s not as if there is no precedent for an institutional recipient, with the entire nation of Malta honoured in 1942. Still, admirable though the NHS’s pandemic response has been in places, it’s not quite single-handedly holding back the Luftwaffe and the Regia Marina. (The health service might feel some trepidation about another precedent: the Royal Ulster Constabulary. One year after getting its silver cross, the RUC was no more.)
It’s just unsubtle, a bit of naff pandering from a government that still doesn’t fully understand its appeal to Red Wall voters
No, it’s just unsubtle, a bit of naff pandering from a government that still doesn’t fully understand its appeal to Red Wall voters but knows they’re quite keen on the health service.
Comments
Join the debate for just $5 for 3 months
Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first three months for $5.
UNLOCK ACCESS Just $5 for 3 monthsAlready a subscriber? Log in