Pants to Honours
The Queen's New Year honours list included awards for two Labour politicians - the leader and deputy leader of Glasgow City Council, Gordon Matheson a (CBE) and Archie Graham (an OBE), which the BBC reports as being 'for services to local government'.
Now as far as I know a CBE is a bigger and grander 'bauble' than an OBE, but who knows the reasons why Gordon gets one version while Archie is handed another, although I have to say I'm surprised that any Glasgow councillor has been considered for any award given the Council's scandalous 'top up' payment scheme and its terrible track record on equal pay.
If you ask me it says a great deal about the state of Labour Party today, that senior figures are still so keen on picking up honours from the Queen riddled as the system is with ludicrous, establishment rules on who gets what and why?
Scots awarded titles in New Year Honours list
Judo star Euan Burton now has an MBE to go with his gold medal from the Commonwealth Games
The achievements of Scots from the worlds of sport, entertainment and politics have been recognised in the New Year Honours list.
Commonwealth Games gold medal winner Euan Burton, MP Anne McGuire and entertainer Andy Cameron are among those picking up awards.
Several figures were honoured for their contribution to the Glasgow games.
About 120 Scots, from charity workers and healthcare staff to community volunteers, have all been recognised.
Former radio and television host Mr Cameron, of Auchterarder, was appointed an MBE for his services to entertainment and charity.
The 74-year-old most recently campaigned alongside MP Jim Murphy, now the Scottish Labour leader, for a "No" vote in the independence referendum.
Commonwealth success
The successful staging of the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow was behind a number of the awards.
Judo star Mr Burton, of Edinburgh, was Scotland's flag-bearer at the Glasgow games, and has received an MBE for services to sport.
Glasgow 2014 board member Bridget McConnell received a CBE for services to culture, while Jon Doig, chief executive of Commonwealth Games Scotland and Francesca Osowska, director of Commonwealth Games and sport at the Scottish government, both became an OBE.
The achievements of Scots from the worlds of sport, entertainment and politics have been recognised in the New Year Honours list.
Commonwealth Games gold medal winner Euan Burton, MP Anne McGuire and entertainer Andy Cameron are among those picking up awards.
Several figures were honoured for their contribution to the Glasgow games.
About 120 Scots, from charity workers and healthcare staff to community volunteers, have all been recognised.
Former radio and television host Mr Cameron, of Auchterarder, was appointed an MBE for his services to entertainment and charity.
The 74-year-old most recently campaigned alongside MP Jim Murphy, now the Scottish Labour leader, for a "No" vote in the independence referendum.
Commonwealth success
The successful staging of the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow was behind a number of the awards.
Judo star Mr Burton, of Edinburgh, was Scotland's flag-bearer at the Glasgow games, and has received an MBE for services to sport.
Glasgow 2014 board member Bridget McConnell received a CBE for services to culture, while Jon Doig, chief executive of Commonwealth Games Scotland and Francesca Osowska, director of Commonwealth Games and sport at the Scottish government, both became an OBE.
Comedian and radio host Andy Cameron was appointed an MBE
Veteran Stirling Labour MP Anne McGuire became a Dame
Glasgow City Council leader Gordon Matheson picked up a CBE, while his deputy Archie Graham was appointed an OBE, both for services to local government.
Following a year where Scotland also hosted the Ryder Cup at Gleneagles and the MTV Music Awards, VisitScotland chairman Mike Cantlay was singled out for an OBE for services to the tourism industry.
In politics, Stirling's veteran Labour MP Anne McGuire, who is to step down in May, and Edinburgh City Council chief executive Sue Bruce both received damehoods.
Mrs McGuire said the honour was "a bit of a surprise", adding: "Frankly, I never expected to receive any honour for work that I've enjoyed doing."
Glasgow City Council leader Gordon Matheson picked up a CBE, while his deputy Archie Graham was appointed an OBE, both for services to local government.
Following a year where Scotland also hosted the Ryder Cup at Gleneagles and the MTV Music Awards, VisitScotland chairman Mike Cantlay was singled out for an OBE for services to the tourism industry.
In politics, Stirling's veteran Labour MP Anne McGuire, who is to step down in May, and Edinburgh City Council chief executive Sue Bruce both received damehoods.
Mrs McGuire said the honour was "a bit of a surprise", adding: "Frankly, I never expected to receive any honour for work that I've enjoyed doing."
Edinburgh City Council chief executive Sue Bruce received a damehood
Mrs Bruce said she had been "hugely proud" to dedicate herself to local government, having spent 39 years in public service.
She said: "Serving as chief executive of the City of Edinburgh Council, particularly during such a challenging and exciting time for the capital, has undoubtedly been the pinnacle of my career.
"Of course, I couldn't have got as far as I have without the support of the people around me and this honour is as much for them as it is for me."
One citizen honoured in the list was David Martin, of Monifieth, who was appointed MBE for his 26 years of volunteering with the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, where he has managed two stations.
Mr Martin said he was "very honoured" to receive the award, which he dedicated to fellow volunteers who crew boats and assist on shore.
Meanwhile, Peter McQuade, who has spent more than 40 years playing the accordion at nursing homes and community events in Falkirk, received a British Empire Medal for services to the community.Local champions
Stewart Spence, the owner of the Marcliffe Hotel in Aberdeen also got an MBE, as did historian Bryce Wilson - for services to culture in Orkney.
Mark Wylie's work in helping young athletes in Shetland was rewarded with a British Empire Medal.
Mr Wylie used the majority of his annual leave to take the stars of the future, including trampolinists and gymnasts, to the UK mainland for national competitions or national training squads.
Mrs Bruce said she had been "hugely proud" to dedicate herself to local government, having spent 39 years in public service.
She said: "Serving as chief executive of the City of Edinburgh Council, particularly during such a challenging and exciting time for the capital, has undoubtedly been the pinnacle of my career.
"Of course, I couldn't have got as far as I have without the support of the people around me and this honour is as much for them as it is for me."
One citizen honoured in the list was David Martin, of Monifieth, who was appointed MBE for his 26 years of volunteering with the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, where he has managed two stations.
Mr Martin said he was "very honoured" to receive the award, which he dedicated to fellow volunteers who crew boats and assist on shore.
Meanwhile, Peter McQuade, who has spent more than 40 years playing the accordion at nursing homes and community events in Falkirk, received a British Empire Medal for services to the community.Local champions
Stewart Spence, the owner of the Marcliffe Hotel in Aberdeen also got an MBE, as did historian Bryce Wilson - for services to culture in Orkney.
Mark Wylie's work in helping young athletes in Shetland was rewarded with a British Empire Medal.
Mr Wylie used the majority of his annual leave to take the stars of the future, including trampolinists and gymnasts, to the UK mainland for national competitions or national training squads.
Long-serving RNLI volunteer David Martin became an MBE
Chief Superintendent Mark McLaren - who has served north-east communities for 30 years - was one of only three Police Scotland recipients of the Queen's Police Medal.
In the Highlands and islands, well known Gaelic singer and campaigner Arthur Cormack was awarded an OBE for services to Gaelic education.
Also getting OBEs were the former director of social work at Highland Council Harriet Dempster, for services to child welfare, and the man behind the Scottish Beaver Trial, former Scottish Wildlife Trust chairman Allan Bantick, for services to conservation. Cleaning up
In the south of Scotland, well-known Borderer Henry Douglas received a British Empire Medal for his services to the community in the Borders.
A farmer all his life, Mr Douglas has been closely associated with the annual Common Riding festivities in Hawick, where this year, celebrating the 500th Anniversary of the historic Battle at Hornshole, he was the Chief Guest.
Four Dumfries locals were recognised, with nurse Alison Hall, chairwoman of the local branch of the stillbirth and neonatal death charity Sands receiving a British Empire Medal.
David Smith received the same award for services to the heritage of Robert Burns, while Catherine Mitchell was similarly honoured for providing more than 30 years of service as a cleaner at Annan police station.
Kenny McFadzean, head of the ambulance service in Dumfries and Galloway, was awarded the Queen's Ambulance Medal after leading a number of national improvement programmes during 27 years of service.
I had a chuckle to myself when I found out that the head of the NHS in England and Wales - Sir David Nicholson - was once a member of the Communist Party of Great Britain.
Once upon a time I found it quite incredible that there so many people with supposedly 'left-wing', progressive politics - were so desperate to accept a political 'honour' from the great and good - to become honorary members of the British establishment .
I suppose I shouldn't really have been surprised because there is a long tradition of people in the labour movement turning their back on principle - before heading off to Buckingham Palace to accept a bauble from Her Majesty.
Makes you wonder how progressive and 'left-wing' these folks really were in the first place - I suppose.
And in Sir David's case I think we have the answer - but just look at the company he's in - including the former 'Sir' Fred Goodwin, the one time boss of the Royal Bank of Scotland.
Top Hats and Boiler Suits (August 25th 2009)
Another great story to appear in the press recently concerns William McIlvanney - one of Scotland's most celebrated and talented writers.
McIlvanney revealed that he turned down an OBE in the Queen’s honours list – and went on to compare the honour to "putting a top hat on a man in a boiler suit".
William McIlvanney explained that his decision was private - unlike that of artist and writer John Byrne - the inspiration behind the smash hit series Tutti Frutti - and all the madness involving The Majestics, Eddie Clockerty and Miss Toner.
But John Byrne was making a serious point - when he rejected an MBE for services to art and literature recently - to signify his "absolute disgust" at the Iraq war.
William McIlvanney told the Scotland on Sunday that had written to Downing Street to say he would not be accepting the OBE for "purely personal" reasons.
"It's something that I tried on in my mind, and I found it didn't fit," he explained. "The sleeves were too long, and it just wasn't part of me.”
“It felt like trying to put a top hat on a man in a boiler suit.”
"The idea of rejecting an honour isn't something I've done with any anger, or to demean other people. There are a lot of people who carry out unsung work. I'm only too happy for them to be recognised."
McIlvanney said: "There have been a lot of honours given for dubious reasons in the past, like providing your wife as the king's bed warmer. The system is riddled with ludicrous elements."
But not everyone takes such a noble stand - there are lots of trade unionists only too glad to accept such honours - as a quick Google search shows:
• Bernard McGill (MBE) – from the north east regional TUC
• Felicity Mendelson (MBE) – from Unison (north east)
• Anne Middleton (MBE) - former deputy regional secretary Unison (Scotland)
• Terri Miller (MBE) – from Unite (south east)
• Matt Smith (OBE) – current regional secretary Unison (Scotland)
• Yvonne Strachan (OBE) - former regional organiser TGWU (Scotland) – now Unite
And that’s the eternal battle within the trade union movement – how to challenge the establishment – while resisting the temptation to become part of the establishment.
Some people do it better than others - you pays your money and takes your choice.
Michael McGahey – a Scottish miner and former leader of the NUM – would never have crossed the road for an MBE or OBE.
So hats off to Mick McGahey, William McIlvanney and John Byrne - so long as it's not Top Hats, of course.
Chief Superintendent Mark McLaren - who has served north-east communities for 30 years - was one of only three Police Scotland recipients of the Queen's Police Medal.
In the Highlands and islands, well known Gaelic singer and campaigner Arthur Cormack was awarded an OBE for services to Gaelic education.
Also getting OBEs were the former director of social work at Highland Council Harriet Dempster, for services to child welfare, and the man behind the Scottish Beaver Trial, former Scottish Wildlife Trust chairman Allan Bantick, for services to conservation. Cleaning up
In the south of Scotland, well-known Borderer Henry Douglas received a British Empire Medal for his services to the community in the Borders.
A farmer all his life, Mr Douglas has been closely associated with the annual Common Riding festivities in Hawick, where this year, celebrating the 500th Anniversary of the historic Battle at Hornshole, he was the Chief Guest.
Four Dumfries locals were recognised, with nurse Alison Hall, chairwoman of the local branch of the stillbirth and neonatal death charity Sands receiving a British Empire Medal.
David Smith received the same award for services to the heritage of Robert Burns, while Catherine Mitchell was similarly honoured for providing more than 30 years of service as a cleaner at Annan police station.
Kenny McFadzean, head of the ambulance service in Dumfries and Galloway, was awarded the Queen's Ambulance Medal after leading a number of national improvement programmes during 27 years of service.
Political Honours (26 February 2013)
I had a chuckle to myself when I found out that the head of the NHS in England and Wales - Sir David Nicholson - was once a member of the Communist Party of Great Britain.
Once upon a time I found it quite incredible that there so many people with supposedly 'left-wing', progressive politics - were so desperate to accept a political 'honour' from the great and good - to become honorary members of the British establishment .
I suppose I shouldn't really have been surprised because there is a long tradition of people in the labour movement turning their back on principle - before heading off to Buckingham Palace to accept a bauble from Her Majesty.
Makes you wonder how progressive and 'left-wing' these folks really were in the first place - I suppose.
And in Sir David's case I think we have the answer - but just look at the company he's in - including the former 'Sir' Fred Goodwin, the one time boss of the Royal Bank of Scotland.
Top Hats and Boiler Suits (August 25th 2009)
Another great story to appear in the press recently concerns William McIlvanney - one of Scotland's most celebrated and talented writers.
McIlvanney revealed that he turned down an OBE in the Queen’s honours list – and went on to compare the honour to "putting a top hat on a man in a boiler suit".
William McIlvanney explained that his decision was private - unlike that of artist and writer John Byrne - the inspiration behind the smash hit series Tutti Frutti - and all the madness involving The Majestics, Eddie Clockerty and Miss Toner.
But John Byrne was making a serious point - when he rejected an MBE for services to art and literature recently - to signify his "absolute disgust" at the Iraq war.
William McIlvanney told the Scotland on Sunday that had written to Downing Street to say he would not be accepting the OBE for "purely personal" reasons.
"It's something that I tried on in my mind, and I found it didn't fit," he explained. "The sleeves were too long, and it just wasn't part of me.”
“It felt like trying to put a top hat on a man in a boiler suit.”
"The idea of rejecting an honour isn't something I've done with any anger, or to demean other people. There are a lot of people who carry out unsung work. I'm only too happy for them to be recognised."
McIlvanney said: "There have been a lot of honours given for dubious reasons in the past, like providing your wife as the king's bed warmer. The system is riddled with ludicrous elements."
But not everyone takes such a noble stand - there are lots of trade unionists only too glad to accept such honours - as a quick Google search shows:
• Bernard McGill (MBE) – from the north east regional TUC
• Felicity Mendelson (MBE) – from Unison (north east)
• Anne Middleton (MBE) - former deputy regional secretary Unison (Scotland)
• Terri Miller (MBE) – from Unite (south east)
• Matt Smith (OBE) – current regional secretary Unison (Scotland)
• Yvonne Strachan (OBE) - former regional organiser TGWU (Scotland) – now Unite
And that’s the eternal battle within the trade union movement – how to challenge the establishment – while resisting the temptation to become part of the establishment.
Some people do it better than others - you pays your money and takes your choice.
Michael McGahey – a Scottish miner and former leader of the NUM – would never have crossed the road for an MBE or OBE.
So hats off to Mick McGahey, William McIlvanney and John Byrne - so long as it's not Top Hats, of course.
