UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Two prominent political figures were honoured in the New Year Honours list, with London’s mayor Khan becoming a Knight and Thornberry a Dame.
The first New Year Honours list following Labour’s general election victory in July, Sadiq Khan, Stephen Fry, and ex-England manager Gareth Southgate were awarded knighthoods, with Emily Thornberry receiving a damehood.
The Mayor of London, who achieved a historic third term in May, expressed he was “truly humbled” by the honour, while Fry, known for his late 1980s partnership with Hugh Laurie, described the news as “startled and enchanted”.
Fry, 67, a renowned author and actor, was recognised with the award for his contributions to the mental health campaign, as well as his positions as head of Mind and vice-president of Fauna & Flora International.
As reported by the Guardian, Mr Fry stated, “When you are recognised it does make you feel a bit ‘crikey’, but I think the most emotional thing is that when I think of my childhood, and my dreadful unhappiness and misery and stupidity, and everything that led to so many failures as a child. And for my parents, really, what a disaster. I mean every time the phone rang, they thought: ‘Oh, God, what has Stephen done now?’ It was a sort of joke in the family.”
The 54-year-old Gareth Southgate, who stepped down after leading England’s men to the Euro 2020 and 2024 finals and the 2018 World Cup semi-finals, was awarded with honour for his contributions to association football.
After missing out on a position in Sir Starmer’s initial cabinet, Thornberry expressed being “honoured and surprised” by her appointment as a Dame Commander.
Ms Emily told the press, “My husband was knighted a few years ago and I never felt comfortable sharing his title, calling myself ‘Lady Nugee’, but Dame Emily is a name I’d be proud to go by.”
Ranil Jayawardena, the ex-Tories MP who served as environment secretary under Liz Truss, and Nick Gibb, the former schools minister, were both recognized with knighthoods.
Andy Street, 61, after losing the summer election, ex-mayor of the West Midlands, has received a knighthood.
London’s mayor, Khan, the son of a London bus driver, was recognised with a knighthood despite a petition against it, with over 200,000 signatures, and he was among 30 politicians from Labour and Conservatives to receive honours.
Mr Khan said, “I couldn’t have dreamed when growing up on a council estate in south London that I would one day be mayor of London. It’s the honour of my life to serve the city I love and I will continue to build the fairer, safer, greener and more prosperous London that all of the capital’s communities deserve.”
David Lammy, the Foreign Secretary, praised Sir Sadiq, stating how Britain allows individuals, like the mayor, to rise from being the son of a bus driver to achieve the honour of knighthood.
Tory leaders, including shadow home secretary Chris Philp, raised concerns over Mr Khan’s knighthood, arguing it was “a reward for failure” pointing to knife crime and missed housing goals.
Kate Hollern, the ex-Labour MP, despite a defeat from independent candidate Adnan Hussain in July, has been awarded with a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE).
Novelist Robert Harris, former Coronation Street and Happy Valley actor Sarah Lancashire, Bafta-winning actor Carey Mulligan, and television presenter Alan Titchmarsh were named Commanders of the Order of the British Empire (CBE).
Tamara Finkelstein, the permanent secretary at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, and Alun Michael, ex-leader of Welsh Labour and South Wales Police and Crime Commissioner, were also honoured.
Myleene Klass, 46, the ambassador for Tommy’s Baby charity and a musician, was happy to receive an MBE for her contributions to women’s care and miscarriage campaigns.
Alan Hansen, 69, the former Liverpool player and BBC presenter, received an MBE, while David Moyes, 61, former manager of Everton, Manchester United, and West Ham, was awarded an OBE.