Ed Davey saying President Zelensky should be given a knighthood?

[StAgur]

I have just watched President Zelensky's address to the House of Commons, when the PM and the leaders of the other parties made appropriate speeches, expressing support for the Ukraine etc. I found it all very moving.Even Boris seemed reasonably statesmanlike.

Then there was Ed Davey, who said President Zelensky should have an, honour, a British knighthood. AIBU to think that this was bizarre, absurd, insensitive, and even less of an incentive to Zelensky than a free ride out, as offered by Joe Biden?

Seriously, he is at risk of assassination at any moment, as are his family, his country is in ruins and his people are suffering appallingly. Does anyone think that his ambition is to be Sir Volodymyr?

Don't you have to be British to get a British knighthood?

It’s obviously not going to be top of his mind, but I’m struggling to see why he might see it as a bad thing.

Non-Brits are given honorary Knighthoods

It’s probably the last thing on anyones mind in Ukraine! It’s not all about our honours system right now.,

Agreed, he needs guns, money and military support in whatever way it can be supplied, not a knighthood. It's great if it could come with all the aforementioned. UK slowly phasing out Russian energy by end 2022 isn't going to spook Putin is it? We need to do more.

It's a complete insult. Why would a hero want to be associated with the shameful British aristocracy?

Ed Davey is an idiot.

WaterBottle123

It's a complete insult. Why would a hero want to be associated with the shameful British aristocracy?

Er, he loves Britain and Boris . Possibly not first thing on his mind right now but I suspect he would be honoured at some point in the future if the poor bloke survives all this

Can British politicians be any more moronic? His country needs weapons, military support and safe passage and welcome for their refugees. What good is a bloody gong??

@JayAlfredPrufrock

Ed Davey is an idiot.

👍👍👍 Much better put than what I was going to say, although I might add in, self-serving.

Completely ridiculous.
Knighthoods are a remnant of old imperialism.
Ring any bells?

Same sentiment as clapping for frontline staff during covid rather than giving them more money/resources.

Sir Bob Geldof is an honorary Knight. I don't really know but I suspect longer term a title will help him. Not right now though

I think an honorary knighthood for someone who has led by example and defended his country with such bravery and resolve would be a great way of reminding our leaders of their responsibilities and would also allow us to show our respect for ukraine in general

YANBU Could the LibDems make themselves any more absurd if they tried?

Give him visas.

So what does giving a knighthood to Gavin Williamson tell us? Any idiot who performed badly is given one. They should be scrapped.

Give him visas for his people who need to flee. And hurray up about it.

Give him visas for his people who need to flee. And hurray up about it.

I think most countries jave honours systems, don't they? I think its nice that people get recognised. A colleague got an MBE for the voluntary work he did training young athletes. And another got an OBE for her work as a head teacher turning a failing school around. She's got MS now and still helps the school out when she can. Both of them are very proud of their awards.

He needs military aid, evacuation planes, money to rebuild his country and feed his people, and visas then the Nobel Peace Prize.

I'd think it was a bit of a morale booster for him actually, knowing people recognise the enormity of the situation and appreciate what he's doing against all the odds. The knighthood won't make any practical difference but it might make "a" difference. A bit like when you boss tells you how much you're appreciated. What you'd really like is a payrise, but it's still good to hear it

To be accurate, Ed Davey asked for 'an honourary knighthood' for Zelenskiy.

It was embarrassing, tone-deaf and pathetic. I expect it was a stunt for election leaflets, cooked up by the Liberal Democrat inner circle who are mostly a bunch of soul-seers and ruthlessly ambitious peerage-wannabees, but I'm surprsied at Daisy Cooper going along with this cringe-making gimmick.

It's a bit soon to think about it IMO

Johnson only gives honours to sycophants and billionaires so Zelensky hasn't a chance. Taking our share of refugees might be better.

Actually I'm not against him being awarded an honour if he wants it. I just think this smacked of political opportunism and wasn't the right occasion.