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?

@JayAlfredPrufrock

Ed Davey is an idiot.

Sir Ed Davey. He was knighted for 'political and public service', i.e. doing his job. Honours have lost value as the majority are given out to civil servants, politicians, high profile people, and so on for being civil servants, etc.

Meanwhile, I'm sure the prospect of being called "Sir" is nowhere on President Zelensky's list of priorities. He wants sanctions, a no fly zone, weapons, safe passage for refugees, etc., not a trinket.

@ProperVexed

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

Yes. Like Bob Geldof - he got an honorary knighthood as a KBE because he's Irish.

Very bizarre call from Ed Davey, who should know better.

Talk about performatively virtue signalling while doing fuck all to actually help!

I was watching this too...they were all trying to one-up each other to show how much they admire Zelensky. The knighthood just took the piss though.

It's a bit crap, I agree OP.

Zelensky has an enormous price on his head, as well as his wife and daughters. He gives zero shits about honours, he wants to defend his country.

This is deeply ironic. Whoever suggested it is tone-deaf. Zelensky is fighting for his country's survival against another with visions of imperialism might.

<a class="break-all" href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=amp.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/jul/28/honours-system-british-empire-racism&ved=2ahUKEwjJh8zImLf2AhXMT8AKHQtbCaAQFnoECBMQAQ&usg=AOvVaw2EjuU6LA4m6fSbZVdHeM-k" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=amp.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/jul/28/honours-system-british-empire-racism&ved=2ahUKEwjJh8zImLf2AhXMT8AKHQtbCaAQFnoECBMQAQ&usg=AOvVaw2EjuU6LA4m6fSbZVdHeM-k

Yes Ed, he can hold it up and the Russians absolutely wouldn't shoot him then.

FGS talk about the most stupid thing ever said to the power of a million.

People like Ed Davey come out with all sorts of posturing nonsense. Because frankly no one listen to them or takes them seriously.

Ed Davey is ramping up the electioneering for the forthcoming local elections - I'm in his constituency and Lib Dem council and we had a load of LibDem leaflets just yesterday with his photo all over them.

He of course is a knight which is no recommendation but thanks to Cameron. Davey has spotted someone who is universally popular and admired and he's not going to miss a trick when an opportunity presents itself for him to make a grab for some virtue and reflected glory.