New Year peerages for 20 Blair 'cronies'

As more Labour loyalists are ennobled, we ask distinguished people how respect might be restored to a tarnished system

Tony Blair will reignite the row over the honours system when he hands 20 peerages to his political allies this week.

The Prime Minister is braced for a row over cronyism in the wake of the New Year's honours, which will see a clutch of former Labour MPs ennobled.

Mr Blair twice postponed the announcement of the new peerages amid fears it would lead to charges of abusing his powers of patronage.

Downing Street's attempt to dampen the controversy by timing it to coincide with the annual New Year's list has backfired badly, however.

The revelations of how honours are decided by a secretive Whitehall committee means that this year's list will be the most closely scrutinised ever. Leaked minutes showing that Tim Henman's name was put forward to "add interest" and that Professor Colin Blakemore, head of the Medical Research Council, was blackballed because of his "controversial" work on animals, prompted ministers to promise reforms of the system last week.

Although the Cabinet Office is to review the rules on who gets honours and why, it is unlikely to include one of the highest honours of all - the peerage.

One senior Labour MP who has seen the list of those Mr Blair has put forward admitted: "There are bound to be charges of cronyism - there do seem to be quite a few former Labour MPs who can be relied upon to vote for the Government."

The fall-out will not be limited to Mr Blair, however. Michael Howard, the Conservative leader, has already moved to distance himself from a list of six new Tory peers recommended by his predecessor. Iain Duncan Smith is thought to have put forward the names of a number of prominent party donors such as Sir Stanley Kalms, Leonard Steinberg and Irvine Laidlaw for peerages.

Nevertheless it is Mr Blair's appointments that will cause the most controversy, further angering backbenchers demanding reform of the House of Lords.

Robin Cook, the former Leader of the House, has been particularly critical of the Government's stalled efforts to update the upper house.

The introduction of 20 Labour so-called "working peers" is needed to bolster the Government's support in the second chamber.

The list of new Labour peers will include David Triesman, who is standing down as the party's general- secretary.

Lord Grocott, Chief Whip in the Lords and Mr Blair's former parliamentary aide, persuaded Mr Blair to approve peerages for loyalists after a series of humiliating defeats in the House of Lords.

So would you accept an award - and who would you give one to?

Grayson Perry, 2003 Turner Prize winner

Would you accept an honour?

Probably - definitely a knighthood - there's a nice pantomime aspect. I like a bit of pomp and ceremony.

How would you change the present system?

The whole Empire aspect isn't great, so I would definitely change that.

Who would you give an honour to?

The photographer Martin Parr, as he is a hero of mine - I don't reckon he would accept it, though.

Benjamin Zephaniah, Poet

Why did you refuse an OBE?

The Empire, the monarchy, the Government, the war in Iraq. They couldn't have asked me at a worst time, when I was angry with the state: I have just had a cousin [Michael Powell] die in a police station.

How would you change the present system?

I would want an honours system that was blind, as little pomp as possible and certainly only if there was no showbiz test involved. People need to have done extraordinary things.

Who would you give an honour to?

I have a lot of respect for Esther Rantzen. Childline gets something like 4,000 desperate children calling it every day.

Marina Warner, Author

Would you accept an honour?

Yes. But I think the patronage silences people and removes their independence. We have to realise that the British Empire is at an end.

How would you change the present system?

It is out of tune. It should become more disinterested. Some people are honoured at the end of their career, but it seems to have an effect on those who are honoured mid-career.

Who would you give an honour to?

There's an element of genuine tribute about those members of the medical profession being awarded when they have made a great contribution, but this is not true of prizes in the arts.

Brian Sewell, Art critic and controversialist

Would you accept an honour?

I would accept a life peerage for the sole reason that we are a country of bloody snobs and if I had "Lord" in front of my name I would be able to get all the answers I want.

How would you change the present system?

It is utterly contemptible and has been for the last 20 years. It should be abolished and replaced with a better one.

Who would you give an honour to?

I would give an honour to Neil MacGregor - the best director the National Gallery ever had.

Corin Redgrave, Actor and campaigner

Would you accept an honour?

The Order of Merit is the only one offered to genuinely distinguished people and it has no connection to the Empire.

How would you change the present system?

I would abolish it.

Who would you give an honour to?

Hari Kunzru, who refused to accept the John Llewellyn Rhys memorial prize for his novel The Impressionist because it was sponsored by the Daily Mail and he doesn't support their stance on asylum-seekers.

Dinos Chapman, Artist

Would you accept an honour?

No.

How would you change the present system?

I would turn it into a meritocracy. At the moment it has nothing to do with what people actually do.

Who would you give an honour to?

The Queen, for being the Queen.

Lord St John of Fawsley, Politician and constitutionalist

Would you accept an honour?

I was delighted to accept my peerage.

How would you change the present system?

It is a great means of valuing people's contributions to society but it has to be separated from money. Honours should go to those who have done so much for little reward.

Who would you give an honour to?

Those who developed the hospice movement.

Peter Tatchell, Gay rights campaigner

Would you accept an honour?

No. The whole system is a cesspit of class privilege and social snobbery.

How would you change the present system?

It should be abolished and replaced by a new one restricted to recognising acts of courage, sacrifice and voluntary community service. No one should get a gong for doing a job for which they get paid.

Who would you give an honour to?

Have-a-go heroes who rescue families from burning houses and volunteers who work unpaid for charitable and humanitarian projects.

Glenda Jackson, Labour MP

Would you accept an honour?

I accepted a CBE - why not?

How would you change the present system?

I can't suggest anything to improve it because I just don't care either way.

Who would you give an honour to?

I can't suggest anyone as I don't really recognise them - it's hardly a compliment suggesting anyone, is it?

Max Clifford, Publicist

Would you accept an honour?

I wouldn't accept one unless I had done something amazing and heroic, such as rescuing a child out of a freezing pond or something.

How would you change the present system?

It has been completely devalued and needs to be done by people who are in touch with Britain today. They should start to give the honours to people who deserve it.

Who would you give an honour to?

Jonnny Wilkinson for giving so much pleasure and being so modest and unassuming. Bridget Turner, who runs the children's hospice called Christopher's in Guildford.

Fay Weldon, Author

Why did you accept the honour?

It didn't occur to me not to. The CBE seemed to be a recognition for my contribution to society.

How would you change the present system?

Somebody somewhere has to decide how to do it. If people are offended, you could put the "Empire" bit in brackets.

Who would you give an honour to?

People who labour tirelessly and without fuss in the public interest, who sincerely and genuinely work towards it. Like Mark LeFanu, secretary general of the Society of Authors.

Penny Junor, Prince Charles's biographer

Would you accept an honour?

Yes. I believe in the monarchy and I think it's disrespectful if you refuse.

How would you change the present system?

I think it's fine as it is.

Who would you give an honour to?

People who receive honours ought to be figures who provide a role model, who behave well and deserve it. Not pop stars.

JG Ballard, Author who refused a CBE for services to literature.

Why did you refuse your honour?

As a republican, I can't accept an honour awarded by a monarch - all that bowing and scraping. The whole system of hereditary privilege and rank should be swept away.

How would you change the present system?

Demolish it altogether.

Who would you give an honour to?

No one.