A LEADING Malvern councillor has slammed a decision to award a Knighthood to Lynton Crosby, calling it a ‘total abuse’ of the Honours system.
Sir Crosby, as he can now be addressed following his inclusion in the New Year Honours List, is known as an Australian political strategist who helped lead the Conservative Party’s successful election campaign in 2015 which it won with a clear majority to allow it to form a Government.
Outside of Australia and the UK, Sir Crosby has also served as an advisor for parties in Canada, New Zealand, and Sri Lanka.
But Liberal Democrat county councillor and Malvern Hills district councillor Tom Wells told his hundreds of Facebook followers that Crosby’s honour was undeserved in the spirit for what they should be given for.
He posted: “Knighting Lynton Crosby is a total abuse of the ‘Honours system’.
“There are already enough political cronies from all parties with their noses in the trough, but those who agreed to nominate him, have devalued the title of ‘Sir’ to an all time low.
“Worse still, they have tainted the awards to ordinary people who do extraordinary things like the amazing nurses who cared for Ebola patients.”
Coun Tom Wells was not alone in his thoughts with several leading political figures such as Labour shadow home secretary Andy Burnham calling Crosby’s Knighthood award ‘outrageous’ according to a BBC news report.
Fellow Labour MP Graham Jones is also quoted as saying: “The honours system is supposed to recognise dedicated public service, not simply be a vehicle to reward Tory cronies and donors.”
According to the government, the honours system recognises people who have made achievements in public life and committed themselves to serving and helping Britain.
A decision on who receives an honour is made up of a committee including Government officials and people who are independent of Government.
And Cabinet Office minister Matthew Hancock defended the decision.
“Services to our democracy are a very important part of making sure we live in this great democratic country where people every few years can kick out their government if they want to.”
Picture: Sir Lynton Crosby
