The Tories are facing fresh cronyism claims after handing gongs to 96 sitting MPs since coming to power.
Analysis found two thirds of the knighthoods or damehoods were handed to serving Tories (64), 26 to Labour, five to the Liberal Democrats and one to the Democratic Unionist Party. It marks an eightfold increase on the last Labour Government, when only 11 sitting MPs were given such honours between 1997 and 2010.
Former Education Secretary Gavin Williamson was handed a knighthood by Boris Johnson despite presiding over exam chaos during the pandemic. The ex-Prime Minister's resignation honours list also included a string of honours for his pals.
Tory MPs Jacob Rees-Mogg, Simon Clarke, Conor Burns and Michael Fabricant were handed knighthoods, while ex-Home Secretary Priti Patel, Amanda Milling and Andrea Jenkyns were made dames. Liz Truss's resignation honours list has not yet been published following her 49-day stint in No10.
The findings, first reported by the Sunday Telegraph, triggered claims that the honours system is being used to try to win support from rebellious MPs. Ex-Standards Chief Sir Alistair Graham told the paper: “A lot of it, you suspect, is because of divisions in the Conservative Party.
"If you’re looking to get an MP on your side in any particular argument or for a particular sensitive vote, a hint from the Whips’ Office that an honour might be coming your way might influence your judgement. It’s rather depressing if the honours system is being used as a political tool to get a majority in the House of Commons.”
Shadow Commons Leader Lucy Powell said the figures show "the Tories’ cronyism is out of control". “Rishi Sunak is too weak to stand up to his predecessor, and block her resignation honours, despite her crashing the economy and causing a mortgage bombshell for families," she added. "The Government should stop rewarding Tory failure, and focus on tackling the cost of living and growing the economy.”
Wendy Chamberlain, the Lib Dems chief whip, said: “It makes a mockery of the honours system that disgraced former ministers like Gavin Williamson have been given knighthoods. Rather than handing out gongs, this government should focus on helping families across the country struggling to pay their bills.”
A Cabinet Office spokesperson said: “Volunteering and working for a political party or holding public office is part of our civic democracy and contributes to public life. Political awards are a tiny number compared to the overall amount of honours granted.
“Every year thousands of people from all walks of life and background are awarded honours for the incredible work they do. The process for selecting honours is based on merit and approved by committees which are made up of independent members.”