David Cameron’s resignation honours list, published on August 5, attracted much criticism. In a letter in The Daily Telegraph on the same day, Alistair Lexden recalled an earlier list that was not received well.
SIR--The last Tory dissolution honours list to stir so much controversy was Stanley Baldwin’s in May 1929 (“Cameron nominates more than 40 peerages”, 3 August). It had five peerages, six baronetcies and 11 knighthoods. A speech-writer got the CH and the staff at No 10 were generously rewarded.
One commentator said “Baldwin is no better than Lloyd George”. Another declared: “It seems more and more difficult to resist the conclusion that honours seldom fall to politicians who do not pursue them”. Plus ça change.
Lord Lexden
London SW1