CAN any of your readers help me in my confusion? I had the distinct impression our honours system was designed to recognise (and to an extent recompense) selfless good works, carried out in an exceptional way, often in difficult circumstances, sometimes for modest or no pay and little immediate reward. We called this altruism when I was a young lad.

So when even the Daily Mail, quoting others, stated the process was ‘borderline corrupt’ I decided, with the Xmas holidays and all, to look at this list a little closer.

One in six (yes one in six!) of this lot of awards were given to career civil servants who today are extremely well paid and mostly retire early on gold standard, inflation proofed pensions, not available to us but sadly paid for by us. Jean Oglesby, wife of Michael, who apparently handed the Tories £50,000 this year; Dame Lin Homer, whose well catalogued and abysmal failure in a string of high profile civic service management roles, demonstrating clearly that leadership failures are no bar to promotion or yet more ‘honour’; the chief executive of a chain of sex shops... for services to what I am not quite sure (can they now make use of the royal crest over the doors?).

But most worryingly of all, Lynton Crosby, an Australian political fixer paid £500,000 to get the Tories re-elected in May. Even Tory MP Mark Garnier had to agree that describing this as ‘great public service’ was ‘probably a bad idea’. Any view on this Justin? Confusing exceptional good works with party political hirelings speaks volumes of the contempt in which we, the general public, must be held.

In fairness, trading honours for political favours is not new and is a trend well established by (Labour) predecessors, which is what makes the whole process so distasteful in the eyes of Joe public.

There were of course some meritorious candidates included: Dorothy Start at 99, a BEM for 50 years selfless charity work, Anne Dowling and Sir James Dyson appointed to the Order of Merit... but then inexplicably Martyn Lewis crops up, a seemingly nice guy who read out the TV news rather well for several years (and was very well paid for it) becomes ‘Sir’ Martyn Lewis?

I have some small experience in this area. I tried unsuccessfully three times to nominate someone for an honour that had spent almost 40 years of selfless, unpaid service to the community. Despite a powerful and competent citation, it was implied by the committee clerk that only the last five years of any ‘good works' are taken into account and even though the 35-year plus period was exceptional, honours were unlikely. I heard nothing further.

The next time David Cameron ruminates over his sugar puffs as to why his loyal subjects are so cynical about politics in general and politicians in particular, he should open his desk drawer, look at this list, and hang his head in shame. Honours? Dishonour more like.

JOHN STOOKE

Haydon End

Havisham Drive

Swindon

ABDUL Rahman Haroun a 40-year-old Sudanese walked 31 miles through the Channel Tunnel, and was granted asylum in the land of milk and honey at hard-working taxpayers' expense. Let me give my two points of view regarding this outrage of unlawful entry into my country being accepted by the so-called judiciary.

My first thought was, I admire his resilience and fortitude. My next thought was where does this all end, regarding the protection of our borders? If you park your car in Swindon, over your time, you receive a fine. But to be fair to Swindon council, they have always be more than fair to I, on the occasions I have disputed their decisions.

Back to my point in question . The law is the law, it is the basis of any civilised society. What message does this send to all and sundry intent on invading our overcrowded island? As a God-fearing man, I have no conception of the horrors this man has went through. Or perhaps none?

But one thing I do know without exception regarding the human race is, to use an old adage, blood is thicker than water. Your heart may bleed for the horrors that surround us. My heart does, but your heart bleeds deeper when it is your own flesh and blood. I speak from great experience on that last comment. Looking after our own and preserving our way of life and our children's and our country, must come before any other priority, hard though it may be.

BILL WILLIAMS

Merlin Way

Covingham

Swindon