Boris Johnson’s Resignation Honours List: A Masterclass in Cronyism and Machiavellian Politics

From Contention to Confirmation: The Honours List

Boris Johnson’s resignation honours list, a conspicuous testament to cronyism and political manoeuvring, has at long last been ratified by the government’s unyielding hand, following months of contentious wrangling. Behold, unveiled in all its grandeur, the comprehensive catalogue of accolades bestowed upon the privileged few by the esteemed premier—a roll call of peerages, meticulously tailored to curry favour and reinforce the entrenched elite.

Boris Johnson’s resignation honours list reverberates with the dishonourable names of individuals deeply entangled in the Partygate scandal. Amongst them stands Martin Reynolds, the principal private secretary under Johnson, whose shameless invitation to Downing Street staff for a “socially distanced drinks” soirée in the hallowed No 10 garden last May 2020, accompanied by the audacious decree of “Bring your own booze!”, was unveiled by ITV News in February of that same year.

Furthermore, we encounter Shelley Williams-Walker, the erstwhile head of operations at Downing Street, who not only orchestrated a gathering under the dubious moniker of “DJ SWW” on the eve of Prince Philip’s funeral but also had the audacity to run Johnson’s office thereafter.

And then there is Jack Doyle, the Downing Street director of communications during a period spanning April 2021 to February 2022. It was under his watchful eye that the Downing Street response crumbled like a house of cards when the Mirror first brought forth allegations of a clandestine revelry known as the “Abba party” within the prime minister’s flat. Doyle, displaying a brazen disregard for truth, dismissed the concerns, callously uttering to another official, “I don’t know what we say about the flat… Ignore the Xmas quiz bullshit, who cares. Just be robust and they’ll get bored.”

As the nation grapples with an excruciating cost-of-living crisis, the Tories, far removed from addressing the urgent needs of the people, squander their time and resources on bestowing rewards upon those who diligently toiled to veil their transgressions and ingratiated themselves with a disgraced former prime minister.

The sickening insult becomes all the more palpable when we confront the distressing reality that those who meticulously planned Covid-infused gatherings and shamelessly indulged in intoxicated lockdown soirees, while countless families were left bereaved and unable to properly mourn their loved ones, are now primed to receive prestigious accolades under the patronage of Rishi Sunak.

As Boris Johnson finds himself yet again entangled in a web of allegations and investigations regarding his conduct, the audacity of bestowing the privilege of an honours list upon such individuals stands as a spectacularly ill-judged and wholly undeserved gesture—an affront to the principles of integrity and justice that should guide a responsible government or it would be if we had a responsible goverment.

Aren’t we honoured to have these people elevated so high by such a corrupt former Prime minister… can’t wait for the shortlist by Liz Truss.

Peerages…

Mr Shaun Stephen Bailey

Current Conservative member of the London Assembly

Mr Benjamin Gascogne

Former Political Secretary and Deputy Chief of Staff to the former Prime Minister Rt Hon Boris Johnson MP

Mr Benjamin Houchen

Current Tees Valley Mayor

Mr Ross John Kempsell

Political Director of the Conservative Party and Director of the Conservative Research Department

Miss Charlotte Katherine Tranter Owen

Former Special Advisor to the former Prime Minister Rt Hon Boris Johnson MP

Mr Kulveer Singh Ranger

Formerly Director of Transport for Rt Hon Boris Johnson MP whilst Mayor of London, and Special Adviser to UK Government on digital strategy

Mr Daniel Robert Rosenfield

Former Downing Street Chief of Staff for the Former Prime Minister Rt Hon Boris Johnson MP

Order of the Companions of Honour

Members of the Order of the Companions of Honour

Sir William Nigel Paul Cash

Chair of the European Scrutiny Committee. For political and public service.

Order of the British Empire

Dames Commander of the Order of the British Empire

Andrea Marie Jenkyns MP

Former Assistant Whip and Minister for Skills. For political and public service

The Right Honourable Amanda Anne Milling MP

Former Minister without Portfolio. For political and public service.

The Right Honourable Priti Patel MP

Former Home Secretary. For political and public service.

Ann Sindall

Personal Assistant to the Rt Hon Boris Johnson MP. For political and public service.

Michelle Williams-Walker

Former Special Adviser and Head of Operations for the Prime Minister. For political and public service.

Knights Bachelor Knighthood

The Right Honourable Conor Burns MP

Former Minister of State at the Northern Ireland Office. For political and public service.

The Right Honourable Simon Richard Clarke MP

Former Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities and Chief Secretary to the Treasury. For political and public service.

Benjamin William Elliot

Former Co-Chair of the Conservative Party. For political and public service.

Michael Louis David Fabricant MP

Conservative MP for Lichfield. For political and public service.

William John Lewis

Political Adviser to the Rt Hon Boris Johnson MP. For political and public service.

The Right Honourable Jacob William Rees-Mogg MP

Former Minister of State for Brexit Opportunities and Government Efficiency. For political and public service.

Order of the Bath

Companion of the Bath

Martin Alexander Baillie Reynolds

Former Principal Private Secretary to the Prime Minister. For public service.

Order of the British Empire

Commanders of the Order of the British Empire

Guto Harri

Former Director of Communications at Downing Street and London City Hall. For political and public service.

Rosemary Bate-Williams

Former Press Secretary to the Prime Minister. For political and public service.

David Joseph Blair

Former Foreign Affairs Speechwriter to the Prime Minister and Former Chief Foreign Correspondent for the Daily Telegraph. For public service.

Colin Cromarty Bloom

Former Faith Engagement Advisor to the Prime Minister. For political and public service.

Henry Charles Rixar Cook

Former Special Adviser to the Prime Minister. For political and public service.

Jack Doyle

Former Downing Street Director of Communications. For political and public service.

Roisha Maria Hughes

Former Principal Private Secretary to the Mayor of London. For public service.

Ray Arthur Lewis

Former Deputy Mayor of London. For political and public service.

Order of the British Empire

Officers of the Order of the British Empire

David Bruno John Canzini

Former Political Advisor to the Prime Minister. For political and public service.

Samantha Helen Cohen CVO

Former Director of the Office of the Prime Minister. For political and public service.

Alexander Karczewski Crowley

Former Political Adviser to the Prime Minister. For political and public service.

Rebecca Rose Haggar Kaikitis

Councillor, London Borough of Hillingdon. For political and public service.

Samantha Geraldine Harrison

Former interim Permanent Secretary and Chief Operating Officer of the Office of the Prime Minister. For public service.

Benjamin Robert Mallet

Former Strategy Director for the General Election and London Campaign Director. For political and public service.

Robert Mark Raymond Oxley

Former Press Secretary at Downing Street. For political and public service.

Daniel James Ritterband

Former Head of the Mayor of London Campaign. For political and public service.

Sarah Elizabeth Rebecca Vaughan-Brown

Former Personal Adviser to Carrie Johnson. For political and public service.

Dr William Gerald Winter Warr

Senior Vice President, Global Health Strategy at BioNTech, former Senior Special Adviser to the Prime Minister on Health, Social Care and Life Sciences. For political and public service.

Catherine Grace Rostron OBE

Senior Parliamentary Assistant and Special Adviser to the Rt Hon Boris Johnson MP. For political and public service.

Order of the British Empire

Members of the Order of the British Empire

Kelly Jo Dodge

Long-time Parliamentary hairdresser. For Parliamentary service.

Andrea Laybourne

Former Parliamentary Secretary to the Rt Hon Boris Johnson MP. For political and public service.

Richard John Mark

Senior Parliamentary Assistant to the Rt Hon Boris Johnson MP. For political and public service.

Gregory Alexander Munro

Senior Assistant and Adviser to the Rt Hon Boris Johnson MP. For political and public service.

Alexander Joseph Bryan Simpson

Former Parliamentary and Constituency Secretary to the Rt Hon Boris Johnson MP. For political and public service.