Andrew, I find it hard to see how the man who wrote, “The fact remains that every major institution in this country is permeated by racial prejudice to some degree” (see here), could join such an institution unless he now believes it accords completely with his beliefs. Yet at the same time, I don’t for one moment believe Sir Salman thinks that racism is no longer a problem in the UK. What that suggests to me is that he is comfortable with the award on Gramscian grounds.

As for the Knighthood, yes of course it has been used for some time for recognition of “acheivement,” and quite right too, but it is one of the crowning acheivements of the Blair government that it has redefined that term to mean service to itself and its new establishment cronyism. See, for instance, Wat Tyler’s assessment of the last New Year’s Honours List. If that isn’t an establishment establishing itself, I’d like to know what is.

Anyway, I’ve downloaded the forms to nominate you for a gong. Apparently the criteria are whether the nominee has:

  • made a difference to their community or field of work?
  • brought distinction to British life and enhanced its reputation?
  • improved the lot of those less able to help themselves?
  • displayed moral courage and vision in making tough choices and hard applications?
  • donated vast sums of cash to help re-elect Tony Blair?

Okay, I made one of those up.