A life peerage for what?

[Harlesden]

All decent people were horrified by the racist murder of Stephen Lawrence in April 1993.
His mother, Doreen, did the same as any mother of a murdered child would in terms of campaiging for justice in the hope of those responsible being made to pay for their crime. Her ordeal in losing a child through violence could not be considered unique.
However, 10 years ago, Doreen Lawrence was awarded the OBE for her services to community relations. Fair enough. She was a tireless worker for police reforms and founded a charitable trust in memory of her dead son.
But now in 2013, she has been awarded a life peerage which entitles her to sit in the House of Lords and be known as Baroness Lawrence of Clarendon.
I just wondered how the gentlemen of this forum feel.
Living in a Caribbean household as I do, I can say with confidence that the decision by this government to award the life peerage is considered a little odd even by some of Baroness Lawrence's fellow Jamaicans.

 

[WSW]

All decent people were horrified by the racist murder of Stephen Lawrence in April 1993.
His mother, Doreen, did the same as any mother of a murdered child would in terms of campaiging for justice in the hope of those responsible being made to pay for their crime. Her ordeal in losing a child through violence could not be considered unique.
However, 10 years ago, Doreen Lawrence was awarded the OBE for her services to community relations. Fair enough. She was a tireless worker for police reforms and founded a charitable trust in memory of her dead son.
But now in 2013, she has been awarded a life peerage which entitles her to sit in the House of Lords and be known as Baroness Lawrence of Clarendon.
I just wondered how the gentlemen of this forum feel.
Living in a Caribbean household as I do, I can say with confidence that the decision by this government to award the life peerage is considered a little odd even by some of Baroness Lawrence's fellow Jamaicans.

She seems a very decent person who works hard for justice and reform and she speaks a lot of common sense. So, in my view, not only is she worthy of the peerage but we could do with more like her in that "house" (and that other "house" too!)

Steve

 

[DarloRich]

All decent people were horrified by the racist murder of Stephen Lawrence in April 1993.
His mother, Doreen, did the same as any mother of a murdered child would in terms of campaiging for justice in the hope of those responsible being made to pay for their crime. Her ordeal in losing a child through violence could not be considered unique.
However, 10 years ago, Doreen Lawrence was awarded the OBE for her services to community relations. Fair enough. She was a tireless worker for police reforms and founded a charitable trust in memory of her dead son.
But now in 2013, she has been awarded a life peerage which entitles her to sit in the House of Lords and be known as Baroness Lawrence of Clarendon.
I just wondered how the gentlemen of this forum feel.
Living in a Caribbean household as I do, I can say with confidence that the decision by this government to award the life peerage is considered a little odd even by some of Baroness Lawrence's fellow Jamaicans.

:roll: perhaps it is seen as a small token of appreciation for the dignified and decent way she has conducted herself in public despite all of the shortcomings of the various enquiries and prosecutions into her sons murder. That and the fact she has used her (sadly accepted i assume) higher profile to comment and campaign on matters racism and gang violence and social justice.

Perhaps you would prefer that such gongs were only awarded to the businessmen, has been politicians and cronies of the PM who bung him some wedge every now and again? I know who i prefer!

 

[Butts]

:roll: perhaps it is seen as a small token of appreciation for the dignified and decent way she has conducted herself in public despite all of the shortcomings of the various enquiries and prosecutions into her sons murder. That and the fact she has used her (sadly accepted i assume) higher profile to comment and campaign on matters racism and gang violence and social justice.

Perhaps you would prefer that such gongs were only awarded to the businessmen, has been politicians and cronies of the PM who bung him some wedge every now and again? I know who i prefer!

Sums it up succinctly

 

[DarloRich]

Sums it up succinctly

what do you mean?

 

[Butts]

what do you mean?

Clue in the highlighting of token in your post.

 

[DarloRich]

Clue in the highlighting of token in your post.

lost me

 

[Butts]

lost me

Token appointment

 

[DarloRich]

Token appointment

oh - i dont think so anymore. There have been a large increase in BAME peers this decade. Although it could be a token to try and assuage some conscious in government

Now the Scottish assembly has 3 BAME members

 

[455driver]

Rather her than somebody who is given it for 'services to making money' like most of the oxygen thiefs in that house.

 

[12CSVT]

Rather her than somebody who is given it for 'services to making money' like most of the oxygen thiefs in that house.

Or services to Tory Party finances, which seems to be how most of them end up in the House of Lords.

 

[bb21]

She is a decent person, and has done good for the society. That is enough for me to be content with her getting this award.

It is more than can be said for the majority of Lords and Ladies in the upper chamber imo. It's the system that is rotten, not someone who gets rewarded fairly.

 

[fowler9]

All decent people were horrified by the racist murder of Stephen Lawrence in April 1993.
His mother, Doreen, did the same as any mother of a murdered child would in terms of campaiging for justice in the hope of those responsible being made to pay for their crime. Her ordeal in losing a child through violence could not be considered unique.
However, 10 years ago, Doreen Lawrence was awarded the OBE for her services to community relations. Fair enough. She was a tireless worker for police reforms and founded a charitable trust in memory of her dead son.
But now in 2013, she has been awarded a life peerage which entitles her to sit in the House of Lords and be known as Baroness Lawrence of Clarendon.
I just wondered how the gentlemen of this forum feel.
Living in a Caribbean household as I do, I can say with confidence that the decision by this government to award the life peerage is considered a little odd even by some of Baroness Lawrence's fellow Jamaicans.

Its a little less odd than the other people who got a life a life peerage for being rich wouldn't you think? What has she done wrong? She sounds far more deserving than a lot of the tory party donors who already have one.