Rishi Sunak ought to cancel Boris Johnson’s resignation honours record, Britons fume
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is going through calls to delay or cancel Boris Johnson’s resignation honours record after he was referred to police over new Partygate allegations.
The former Prime Minister’s record of round 50 nominations is considered nearing approval. But MPs have urged Mr Sunak to intervene and halt its development.
Labour’s Deputy Leader Angela Rayner warned: “With the disgraced former prime minister now facing new allegations and under multiple investigations, there should be no question of Rishi Sunak approving honours for his cronies and cheerleaders.”
Liberal Democrat chief whip Wendy Chamberlain stated: “The days of exiting prime ministers nominating peers should be left in the past, particularly when they leave under a cloud of scandal like Boris Johnson. At the very least, Rishi Sunak must step in and delay this list while Johnson is under police investigation.”
A new Express.co.uk poll has proven greater than three in 5 readers agree that Mr Sunak ought to take motion.
READ MORE: Attempts to discredit Boris through the law will make him more popular
In response, Express.co.uk ran a poll from 11am on Thursday, May 25, to noon on Friday, May 26, asking readers: “Should Rishi Sunak cancel Boris Johnson’s resignation honours list?”
Overall, 3,037 readers solid their votes with the overwhelming majority, 62 p.c (1,883 individuals) answering “yes”, in contrast with 38 p.c (1,140 individuals) who stated “no”. An extra 14 individuals stated they didn’t know.
Dozens of feedback had been left beneath the accompanying article as readers debated whether Mr Johnson should be allowed to make recommendations.
Many readers argued that Mr Sunak ought to cancel his predecessor’s honours record, with username thisisit writing: “Yes, disgraced prime minister Boris Johnson shouldn’t be allowed to nominate anyone.”
Similarly, username jacobreesmarley stated: “In itself, the concept of a resignation honours list is ludicrously antiquated and undemocratic. But to allow a disgraced former prime minister, sacked by his own party for his risible behaviour, to ennoble his friends and family is as troubling as it is offensive.”
Others agreed that the honours system was not match for objective. Username obiwanscoobiedoo remarked: “Politicians should have no say in who gets honours.”
And username RnR added: “All resignation honours lists should be cancelled. It is a corrupt tradition.”
It is customary for outgoing prime ministers to grant resignation honours to former advisors and aides.
Some readers thought that Mr Johnson was deserving of creating such nominations and that his record shouldn’t be cancelled, like username ColinKnight, who remarked that “it would set a very bad precedent”.
Likewise, username justmy2cents stated: “No absolutely not. As a former prime minister, he has every right to submit a list of candidates for honours.”