Mister Major

John Major returned to the spotlight yesterday, supporting the beleaguered government of the day, mildly ridiculing the honours system, spilling a few beans here and there. Rather wickedly, he even hinted to a Commons inquiry how Denis Thatcher had become a baronet - and vouchsafed that he himself had declined a peerage. He did not believe he deserved one, he said, just for being Prime Minister. Leaving aside the obvious barbs, how could he possibly have known that turning down an honour would one day become the socially acceptable thing to do? Plain Mister John Major, the grey man for all seasons.

John Major returned to the spotlight yesterday, supporting the beleaguered government of the day, mildly ridiculing the honours system, spilling a few beans here and there. Rather wickedly, he even hinted to a Commons inquiry how Denis Thatcher had become a baronet - and vouchsafed that he himself had declined a peerage. He did not believe he deserved one, he said, just for being Prime Minister. Leaving aside the obvious barbs, how could he possibly have known that turning down an honour would one day become the socially acceptable thing to do? Plain Mister John Major, the grey man for all seasons.