390 replies to this topic

[balmybaldwin]

Glad he's getting a knighthood, he thoroughly deserves it.

 

I'm haven't really been a fan, but I appreciate his talent there are very few that can touch him let alone beat him. In many ways, the only thing that detracts me from being a fan is the weirdness of this sport that we watch in that it doesn't really feel like he's been in a close competition.

 

I doubt he'll get SPOTY this year as I expect Marcus Rashford to have wrapped it up

[GrumpyYoungMan]

Nothing against Lewis, and perhaps this is just because I'm not British, but the amount of news and discussion around this topic is ridiculous. By now every day you can read someone else's opinion on it.

Is that how this knighthood system works? Does it require a certain amount of sportspeople and celebrities vouching for you before the queen takes notice?

Why can't it just wait until it's decided that he gets it, and then: great, well done Lewis, nicely deserved.

Until then, what is the bloody point of discussing the possibility of Hamilton being invited to this royal award show.

I'll get my coat.

I feel your pain and I’m from the UK.

I feel Lewis shouldn’t be knighted and if he is nominated he should refuse it if he feels that strongly about the causes he supports

[CountDooku]

To be honest, I think Lewis would be happier if the royal family actually showed up to watch him win at silverstone.

I’m pretty sure Prince Harry has watched him in Silverstone and Abs Dhabs.

[loki]

[jjcale]

It would be funny if they gave them to Max and Bernie. Actually Wikipedia claims that Ecclestone turned one down in the early 2000s.

 

What do you mean "wiki claims"? dont you remember what happened? .... he tried to buy one and got rumbled after the offer had already been made to him - so to cover it up he had to "decline" the offer ... allegedly. 

[jjcale]

It’s always been a mystery as to why Lewis Hamilton has never received an upgrade over his MBE awarded for 2008. Every excuse offered has looked rather thin when you look at the ranks of the dubious and disreputable given gongs in the meanwhile. With each championship that passed without any recognition, a knighthood is the only thing left to make up for it. Providing Lewis wants one!

 

It would be interesting to know why he never got anything more after 2008 ... most obvious answer is the change of govt. 

[jjcale]

Nothing against Lewis, and perhaps this is just because I'm not British, but the amount of news and discussion around this topic is ridiculous. By now every day you can read someone else's opinion on it.

 

Is that how this knighthood system works? Does it require a certain amount of sportspeople and celebrities vouching for you before the queen takes notice?

 

Why can't it just wait until it's decided that he gets it, and then: great, well done Lewis, nicely deserved.

 

Until then, what is the bloody point of discussing the possibility of Hamilton being invited to this royal award show.

 

I'll get my coat.

 

For the benefit of non-UK people ... this is very odd situation ... in fact I cant recall a similar case - or at least not one that is similarly high profile.

 

Honours for sports and entertainment are in reality a PR exercise for the sitting govt - there is some genuine honouring of achievement going on but mostly its a way to please the public ... esp at the top end with knighthoods. Many people get awards for achievements in all sorts of categories but the media focus is only on the sports and entertainment categories. And the govt knows this.

 

So here is the problem: 

 

Even though LH is far and away the most successful sportsman the UK has ever produced .... there is no one even close.... it is claimed in the press that he is not popular in the country and that he "divides opinion" - so the politicians and senior bureaucrats who decide on the top honours have been scared to do anything for LH as the mixed PR would be too much of a hassle ... what is the point of a PR exercise that a big proportion of the people are not going to like?  ... that was the thinking - otherwise he would have been honoured probably 2 or 3 years ago, at least.

 

... Plus he does not play ball with the party in power since 2010 - most black people in the UK dont. ... not saying that they are racist against him. I'm saying that he has not been schmoozing them because of this antagonistic dynamic .... bottom line is that for whatever reason he is not matey with them - at all. So there was no other incentive for the politicians to counter balance the "LH divides opinion" narrative that is put out by the press.   

 

And then he kept winning and winning and winning ... so the clamour for recognition of his achievements has grown year by year (along with the questioning of the failure/refusal to honour him) - and now with matching Michael, its like a dam has burst ... which means plenty of positive media and social media coverage of the calls for LH to be honoured - with some inevitable sniping from haters.

 

It looks like the govt has finally picked up which side public opinion is on and has leaked that they intend to honour him to stay on the right side of public opinion (the leaked story even claimed there was a "personal intervention from the Prime Minister" to overrule some committee that had blocked the knighthood ) ... like I said, its all about PR. 

 

So that's how we got this weird situation ... its a complete one off. We have never seen this before. 

Edited by jjcale, 25 November 2020 - 04:21.

[aliefbielefeld]

Holy crap can we not like have a new Lewis thread every day? 

[teejay]

Holy crap can we not like have a new Lewis thread every day? 

 

Sorry you're forced to read them all. 

 

As for others, Ron Dennis 

[GrumpyYoungMan]

Holy crap can we not like have a new Lewis thread every day?

you know you don’t have to click into and read the thread? Lol

[FirstnameLastname]

you know you don’t have to click into and read the thread? Lol

We are like the town notice board that Gervais speaks of

aliefbielefeld Doesn’t want guitar lessons!!!

https://youtu.be/L3dxMGzt5mU

[PayasYouRace]

Holy crap can we not like have a new Lewis thread every day?

You are under no obligation to post in every thread, and posting in them makes it worse for you.

[Huffer]

I feel your pain and I’m from the UK.

I feel Lewis shouldn’t be knighted and if he is nominated he should refuse it if he feels that strongly about the causes he supports

 

Why exactly? Is the honours system responsible for the killing of black people? Is the British Royal Family responsible for the continuation of institutional racism within the UK? Exactly how does the Royal Family impact the historical issues of racism, especially as a constitutional monarchy? Whose involvement in governance and race of power was curtailed through the the 1689 bill of rights.

 

Personally, I would like Hamilton to reject a Knighthood if it was offered, but not for the petty and quite frankly asinine reasons that you have given.

 

I don't mind the Royalty - as a lad staying at my grandparents cottage during the summer and other times of the year, where my Grandmother worked at "the big house" I was around them enough during Pheasant shoots as a beater and when I was older, as a loader and hall boy. They're decent people - nothing like the simpering, feckless cockroaches that infest the HoC who think that their social "class" makes them somehow better. They truly believe that their job is to serve their country - but they don't seem to realise that they are a relic of a time gone by that we are desperately hanging on to because we're scared that we, as Brits, will somehow lose part of what we think makes us special if they go. 

 

My dislike for the system comes from the idea that we elevate individuals above ourselves merely by accident of birth. The idea of royalty, and in fact the peerage is an outdated system. I can almost warm to the idea that the state would somehow recognise special individual achievements, but not through a system that is awarded by royalty and the behest of what seems to be a modern feudal council of chinless prats.

Edited by Huffer, 25 November 2020 - 08:32.

[shure]

Why exactly? Is the honours system responsible for the killing of black people? Is the British Royal Family responsible for the continuation of institutional racism within the UK? Exactly how does the Royal Family impact the historical issues of racism, especially since as a constitutional monarchy? Whose involvement in governance and race of power was curtailed through the the 1689 bill of rights.

 

Personally, I would like Hamilton to reject a Knighthood if it was offered, but not for the petty and quite frankly asinine reasons that you have given.

 

I don't mind the Royalty - as a lad staying at my grandparents cottage during the summer, where my Grandmother worked at "the big house" I was around them enough during Pheasant shoots as a beater and when I was older, as a loader and hall boy. They're decent people - nothing like the simpering, feckless cockroaches that infest the HoC who think that their social "class" makes them somehow better. They truly believe that their job is to serve their country - but they don't seem to realise that they are a relic of a time gone by that we are desperately hanging on to because we're scared that we, as Brits, will somehow lose part of what we think makes us special if they go. 

 

My dislike for the system comes from the idea that we elevate individuals above ourselves merely by accident of birth. The idea of royalty, and in fact the peerage is an outdated system. I can almost warm to the idea that the state would somehow recognise special individual achievements, but not through a system that is awarded by royalty and the behest of what seems to be a modern feudal council of chinless prats.

Hmm, it seems we have something we can agree on!

 

The idea of royalty is indeed outdated and the concept of tugging forelocks just seems utterly misplaced today.  And by extension, the idea of knighthoods or other titles bestowed by some wizened old grandma carrying any significance seems faintly ridiculous.  I'm not really sure why people get so excited by it.

[IrvTheSwerve]

I think Andy Murray’s words have been slightly twisted by the media, in interviews I’ve seen where he’s asked about Lewis’ potential knighthood, he very awkwardly agrees that Lewis should get one, admitting that he doesn’t really agree with sportsmen and women getting them while competing. It was very much “well I’ve been given one, so I suppose Lewis must have to have one”.

Unfortunately the president has been set with regards to knighthoods for current sports people. Lewis simply has to be given one if you look at the tennis players, cyclists and runners that have been given them while competing.

[Risil]

Holy crap can we not like have a new Lewis thread every day?

You're welcome to create non-Lewis threads.

[P123]

Holy crap can we not like have a new Lewis thread every day? 

I guess irony is not a thing with you considering the vast majority of your posts are directly about, or related to Hamilton.

[Huffer]

Hmm, it seems we have something we can agree on!

 

I thought I felt the world shift sideways slightly...now I know why!

[Rinehart]

I think Andy Murray’s words have been slightly twisted by the media, in interviews I’ve seen where he’s asked about Lewis’ potential knighthood, he very awkwardly agrees that Lewis should get one, admitting that he doesn’t really agree with sportsmen and women getting them while competing. It was very much “well I’ve been given one, so I suppose Lewis must have to have one”.

Unfortunately the president has been set with regards to knighthoods for current sports people. Lewis simply has to be given one if you look at the tennis players, cyclists and runners that have been given them while competing.

 

Why should sports people have to wait until the end of their careers, when actors, authors, entrepreneurs and musicians etc don't? Surely it's about meeting the criteria of "outstanding achievement or service to the community", which is not time dependant but standard bearing? I think Murray is just being coy and populist. I think Hamilton easily meets the criteria of outstanding success in his field, bringing joy to many in the community and the fact he's using his platform for good (regardless of if you agree with all of his initiatives or not) just puts the tin lid on it. 

[Sterzo]

What do you mean "wiki claims"? dont you remember what happened? .... he (Bernie Ecclestone) tried to buy one and got rumbled after the offer had already been made to him - so to cover it up he had to "decline" the offer ... allegedly. 

Let's be fair to Bernie. He would have sold it shortly afterwards to someone in a foreign land, and bought it back at reduced price when the owner found it didn't give feudal rights over village wenches, then sold it to a venture capital company who would have...

[Misk]

Can't say I'm interested in knighthoods, but Hamilton is more deserving than any other sportsperson I can think of. 

[BRG]

The idea of royalty is indeed outdated and the concept of tugging forelocks just seems utterly misplaced today.  And by extension, the idea of knighthoods or other titles bestowed by some wizened old grandma carrying any significance seems faintly ridiculous.  I'm not really sure why people get so excited by it.

A constitutional monarchy is actually a very sensible and economical arrangement.  You get a politically neutral Head of State who is widely respected, you don't have to pay for regular Presidential elections or for their extravagant lifestyle, and if necessary, they can be easily abolished.  Compare and contrast HM Queen Elizabeth or the Japanese Emperor with the likes of Sarkozy (now on trial), Trump (probably will be on trial), Zuma and so on.  

 

And the honours are awarded on behalf of the nation, for (supposedly) services of some sort of merit.  All nations have something of the same sort.

 

Why should sports people have to wait until the end of their careers, when actors, authors, entrepreneurs and musicians etc don't?

How many 36 year old actors, authors, entrepreneurs or musicians have been knighted or even given lesser honours?  They get their awards much later in life, when they  may not have officially retired, but are no longer at the forefront - viz Sir Elton John, Sir Cliff Richard etc.

[shure]

A constitutional monarchy is actually a very sensible and economical arrangement.  You get a politically neutral Head of State who is widely respected, you don't have to pay for regular Presidential elections or for their extravagant lifestyle, and if necessary, they can be easily abolished.  Compare and contrast HM Queen Elizabeth or the Japanese Emperor with the likes of Sarkozy (now on trial), Trump (probably will be on trial), Zuma and so on.  

 

And the honours are awarded on behalf of the nation, for (supposedly) services of some sort of merit.  All nations have something of the same sort.

 

How many 36 year old actors, authors, entrepreneurs or musicians have been knighted or even given lesser honours?  They get their awards much later in life, when they  may not have officially retired, but are no longer at the forefront - viz Sir Elton John, Sir Cliff Richard etc.

I understand the economics of it and get that eg it brings in a lot of tourism.  What I don't get is people's fascination with it nor why someone who is born into a royal family should be someone I should bow or curtsy to.  All seems a bit medieval.  In the UK you have the papers plastered with pics of eg Meghan and Harry and they're just...nobodies.  They've not done anything of note but somehow because they are royalty their opinions carry value.  It's weird in this day and age.

 

Honours are very much tied into the royalty thing.  You are knighted by the Queen, for example.  Again, I don't really get the fascination they bring.  They are also somewhat devalued IMO by the fact that many PMs tend to use them as favours.  

[Risil]

Well that's an argument that we should pay less attention to honours and baubles full stop. Which you're free to do!

[ensign14]

I understand the economics of it and get that eg it brings in a lot of tourism.  What I don't get is people's fascination with it nor why someone who is born into a royal family should be someone I should bow or curtsy to.  All seems a bit medieval.

It's the same around the world.  Only for countries without monarchies the object of the genuflection or whatever is a flag or a god or some other symbol.

[fed up]

I understand the economics of it and get that eg it brings in a lot of tourism.  What I don't get is people's fascination with it nor why someone who is born into a royal family should be someone I should bow or curtsy to.  All seems a bit medieval.  In the UK you have the papers plastered with pics of eg Meghan and Harry and they're just...nobodies.  They've not done anything of note but somehow because they are royalty their opinions carry value.  It's weird in this day and age.

 

Honours are very much tied into the royalty thing.  You are knighted by the Queen, for example.  Again, I don't really get the fascination they bring.  They are also somewhat devalued IMO by the fact that many PMs tend to use them as favours.  

 

I don't see an honour as being devalued, there is a certain cachet to it. If Sir Lewis ever gets married (if he is that way inclined of course) his future wife instantly becomes a Lady. Sir Lewis and Lady ... Hamilton has a certain ring to it.

[BRG]

There is little practical difference between the deference paid to a monarch and that paid to an elected President.  People queue to tour the White House for instance, and every former US President seems to have a library or museum dedicated to him. 

 

There is a natural human tendency to want a national leader and it always amuses me how much so-called republics seem to try to become de facto monarchies.  For decades the US desperately tried to set a up a Kennedy dynasty, then failing that, it went for the Poundland option,  a Bush dynasty, instead.  Many countries accept a life President or a dictator who is essentially a monarch - some even manage to hand the role on to their sons - Syria for instance, and India had a Gandhi dynasty.  Far better to regularise it the way that that constitutional monarchies of the world have done - and it is interesting that there are eight of those in Western Europe alone. 

 

As for bowing or curtsying, there are not even mandatory.  In the UK, a nod of head is deemed sufficient, which is much the same as for most Presidents.  And honours are not peculiar to the UK.  If you are appointed to the French Legion d'Honneur, you will get it from President Macron, you will dress up nicely and you will doubtless pay some sort of obeisance to him.  Plus ca change.

 

 

 Sir Lewis and Lady ... Hamilton has a certain ring to it.

Does he know any eligible girls called Emma?

Edited by BRG, 25 November 2020 - 13:41.

[Atreiu]

The first thing that comes to my mind when I read extravagant lifestyle is literally monarchy, then oligarchs.

[GrumpyYoungMan]

I don't see an honour as being devalued, there is a certain cachet to it. If Sir Lewis ever gets married (if he is that way inclined of course) his future wife instantly becomes a Lady. Sir Lewis and Lady ... Hamilton has a certain ring to it.

They do same sex (am I allowed to say that - as there are so many - he may identify as a frying pan 🤷🏻‍♂️) marriages now a days... well they do in the UK anyway... (and many other countries too)

Edited by GrumpyYoungMan, 25 November 2020 - 13:48.

[BRG]

The title of 'Lady' for a knight's wife is purely a courtesy title and has no actual formal status.  And it is increasingly anachronistic; when a woman is made a Dame (equivalent to Knight) her spouse is not called 'Sir' as a courtesy.  Neither is a same-sex spouse - so Sir Elton John's other half isn't called Sir or Lady David Furnish.  

[Red5ive]

Glad he's getting a knighthood, he thoroughly deserves it.

 

I'm haven't really been a fan, but I appreciate his talent there are very few that can touch him let alone beat him. In many ways, the only thing that detracts me from being a fan is the weirdness of this sport that we watch in that it doesn't really feel like he's been in a close competition.

 

I doubt he'll get SPOTY this year as I expect Marcus Rashford to have wrapped it up

 

 

Just so you know - Andy Murray  doesnt get to decide who gets a Knighthood.  Lewis may or may not be given one in due course but as of today it hasnt been confirmed.

[Vitesse2]

I don't think Lewis will be knighted until after his career is over, for purely political reasons. The Tories will not want to give a knighthood to him, sadly, because of his support of BLM - a cause I don't think they really know how to deal with - and his tax status. 

 

As for overlooked knighthoods - for the living I would say Ron Dennis, Ross Brawn, Adrian Newey, Nigel Mansell and Christian Horner are all deserving. Of the dead - Colin Chapman, Charles Cooper, John Surtees, Bruce McLaren, Graham Hill and Sid Watkins.

I believe Graham Hill was expected to get his K in 1976 - either in the New Year or (more likely) the Birthday Honours LIst. Even before his retirement from driving he had been involved in charity work for (among others) the Springfield Boys Club in London and after his 1969 US GP accident he took a keen interest in road safety, contributing to the Blennerhasset Report on drink/driving and campaigning on behalf of disabled drivers; his was one of the most influential voices which led to the abolition of those lethal three-wheel 'invalid carriages' and the adoption of equipment to enable disabled drivers to use 'normal' cars. 'Why the Birthday Honours?' I hear you ask. Graham had been one of the people chosen to mentor Prince Charles as he came of age - Charles actually visited the 1968 British GP and you can find plenty of pics of them together, both then and later - Graham was even invited to shoot with the Royals.

 

I'm pretty sure Jim Clark would have got a knighthood too.

[Imperial]

 

I'm pretty sure Jim Clark would have got a knighthood too.

 

As much as I love Jimmy, wasn't he known as a man who liked to live overseas for tax reasons, much as our Lew is slagged off for doing?

[SophieB]

I'm all for this because I think being Sir Lewis will inspire Lewis in interesting fashion directions.

[68targa]

Crikey  ....  nothing like a Knighthood and Lewis Hamilton to generate some lively dialogue

 

I am not a huge fan of Lewis BUT I do have massive respect for his talent and seeing him mature over the years. The thing is he has a lot more to give and not just in the sport.  You can see how he is now getting involved in equality and human rights issues. As a figurehead of our sport he has more impact than some others.  It's obvious he will receive an honour sometime and well deserved it will be.

[Vitesse2]

As much as I love Jimmy, wasn't he known as a man who liked to live overseas for tax reasons, much as our Lew is slagged off for doing?

Yes, he did, but that was under the very different tax regime which inspired George Harrison to write 'Taxman'.

 

Let me tell you how it will be
There's one for you, nineteen for me
'Cause I'm the taxman, yeah, I'm the taxman ...

That regime was also what caused Jackie Stewart to move to Switzerland.

 

Equally, I suspect that - like Stewart and Moss - Jimmy would have had to wait a long time after retiring from racing. If you look at the honours lists pre-Blair you can see that sporting knighthoods/damehoods for UK sportsmen/women were pretty much rationed to one per list. Where there's more than one, the other(s) were generally awarded to people from other Commonwealth countries which retained the honours system. There have been - for example - as many West Indian cricketing knights as Englishmen (eleven), with the only recent English ones being Botham and Cook. Four of those West Indians are comparatively recent Antiguan players - Richards, Roberts, Ambrose and Richardson -  and six more were from Barbados, with the only other one being Learie Constantine, from Trinidad.

[thiscocks]

Oh that's a real pet peeve of mine, sports people being knighted while still competing 

A peeve of mine is any sportsman being knited full stop. They get rewarded with fame and money. 

[SilverArrow31]

We got so excited about the 2012 Olympics we went knighthood crazy for sportsmen and women, that set a precedent that won't disappear anytime soon....

 

Now that I think about it though Steve Redgrave got one in 2001... So I guess Hamilton really should have one

[Fastcake]

Equally, I suspect that - like Stewart and Moss - Jimmy would have had to wait a long time after retiring from racing. If you look at the honours lists pre-Blair you can see that sporting knighthoods/damehoods for UK sportsmen/women were pretty much rationed to one per list. Where there's more than one, the other(s) were generally awarded to people from other Commonwealth countries which retained the honours system. There have been - for example - as many West Indian cricketing knights as Englishmen (eleven), with the only recent English ones being Botham and Cook. Four of those West Indians are comparatively recent Antiguan players - Richards, Roberts, Ambrose and Richardson -  and six more were from Barbados, with the only other one being Learie Constantine, from Trinidad.

 

It was probably easier to limit knighthoods in the days before lottery funding when we barely ever won anything.
 

[Sterzo]

I don't see an honour as being devalued, there is a certain cachet to it. If Sir Lewis ever gets married (if he is that way inclined of course) his future wife instantly becomes a Lady. Sir Lewis and Lady ... Hamilton has a certain ring to it.

Agreed, it could so easily have been Sir Lewis Hamilton and Lady Pussycat Doll, perhaps gracing Croydon with their presence..

[Retrofly]

Knightshoods are in the eye of the beholder.

 

They mean tangibly very little, but also reserved for a special few.

 

If you think knighthoods are a fuss about nothing then its pretty easy to ignore. Its just like any other award. Do I care about driver of the day? No, but some people do.

 

People who think Lewis wasn't considered for a knighthood before twitter kicked off are probably flat out wrong. The biggest influence will be Lewis' actions on and off track, and maybe some murmurings coming from the houses of parliament or the house of lords.

To say it was influenced by celebs and people stomping their feet is to belittle Hamilton's achievements.

[Beri]

Knightshoods are in the eye of the beholder.

They mean tangibly very little, but also reserved for a special few.

If you think knighthoods are a fuss about nothing then its pretty easy to ignore. Its just like any other award. Do I care about driver of the day? No, but some people do.

People who think Lewis wasn't considered for a knighthood before twitter kicked off are probably flat out wrong. The biggest influence will be Lewis' actions on and off track, and maybe some murmurings coming from the houses of parliament or the house of lords.
To say it was influenced by celebs and people stomping their feet is to belittle Hamilton's achievements.

Now, many here will know me as one of the people that is simply no Hamilton fan. And I usually do criticize his fans for not being objective.
Whilst I wholeheartedly agree that Hamilton does thoroughly deserve a knighthood, in my opinion he should have had it earlier, it are sentences like these that will always keep me having my opinion. Why in gods name would celebrities not be allowed to voice their opinions to have him knighted? And to have them do this and to, finally, have the right people of the knighting committee (or however it's called) turn their heads when the celebs did so, is nothing more than a fact. It is nothing that belittles Hamilton's achievements now that they finally listened. But, to me, opinions like yours do belittle his achievements. His achievements are greater than that. His achievements transcend his sport. They are an inspiration for millions around the world. That alone is good enough for being knighted in my opinion.
Saying stuff like that because you fail to see how the world works, is simply playing the victim. And it shouldn't be necessary.

Was signed,
Not a Hamilton fan.

[FirstnameLastname]

Knighted for services to getting filthy rich while driving exclusive fast race cars

Oh what a life.

[P123]

Knighted for services to getting filthy rich while driving exclusive fast race cars

Oh what a life.

 

And you just sat there watching it happen!  Pfft! 

[milestone 11]

One thing for sure, if he doesn't refuse a Knighthood it will be yet another stick which the claque shall beat him with.

[FirstnameLastname]

And you just sat there watching it happen! Pfft!

It’s outrageous. Should have been me 🤪

[Bleu]

I’m pretty sure Prince Harry has watched him in Silverstone and Abs Dhabs.

 

I recall Harry was once giving #1 trophy in Silverstone, however it was Alonso who won on that day.

[shure]

Knightshoods are in the eye of the beholder.

 

They mean tangibly very little, but also reserved for a special few.

 

If you think knighthoods are a fuss about nothing then its pretty easy to ignore. Its just like any other award. Do I care about driver of the day? No, but some people do.

 

People who think Lewis wasn't considered for a knighthood before twitter kicked off are probably flat out wrong. The biggest influence will be Lewis' actions on and off track, and maybe some murmurings coming from the houses of parliament or the house of lords.

To say it was influenced by celebs and people stomping their feet is to belittle Hamilton's achievements.

Sorry, but this is nonsense.  It's naïve to think that public championing of Hamilton's case won't have any impact on those who make the decisions for these things.  And it's an exercise in playing the victim to imagine that this somehow belittle's Hamilton's achievements.  I'm with Beri on this one - they stand on their own, regardless of whether he gets a knighthood or not.  A knighthood doesn't validate what Hamilton's done, it's just a bauble.  

[Lotusse7en]

As much as I love Jimmy, wasn't he known as a man who liked to live overseas for tax reasons, much as our Lew is slagged off for doing?

Jimmy did live in France , for a while. For tax reasons !!

His courtship with a lady suffered as a result and he never got married

So no Sir Jim and Lady....

[Dipster]

Sorry, but this is nonsense.  It's naïve to think that public championing of Hamilton's case won't have any impact on those who make the decisions for these things.  And it's an exercise in playing the victim to imagine that this somehow belittle's Hamilton's achievements.  I'm with Beri on this one - they stand on their own, regardless of whether he gets a knighthood or not.  A knighthood doesn't validate what Hamilton's done, it's just a bauble.  

 

As are all honours.

 

This is an antiquated system (as is the House of Lords) that needs abolishing.  I was in a situation where I might have been considered for a minor award (simply for what I did and for how long I had done it) until I made my feelings known. I heard nothing further.......