2019 Dissolution Honours
The 2019 Dissolution Honours were a set of life peerages and other awards recommended by Prime Minister Boris Johnson following the dissolution of the 59th Parliament of the United Kingdom on 6 November 2019, ahead of the general election held on 12 December 2019, with the list formally gazetted on 31 July 2020.[1] These honours, a traditional mechanism to recognize parliamentary service upon the end of a legislative term, primarily elevated 16 individuals to the peerage, including former Members of Parliament from the Conservative Party who had retired or lost their seats, as well as figures from other parties such as former Labour MP John Woodcock.[1][2] Notable recipients included Patrick McLoughlin, elevated to Companion of Honour for his long service as a Conservative MP and party chairman; Ruth Davidson, the former Scottish Conservative leader; and crossbench figures like Nigel Dodds, reflecting a distribution across political affiliations despite the recommending prime minister's party dominance.[2] The process involved submissions to the House of Lords Appointments Commission for scrutiny, though dissolution honours have historically bypassed some vetting norms compared to standard lists, leading to periodic accusations of favoritism in rewarding political allies—a critique rooted in the prime ministerial prerogative but empirically consistent across administrations of varying ideologies.[3] While the 2019 list adhered to precedents set by prior dissolutions, such as those under Tony Blair and David Cameron, it expanded the House of Lords by introducing peers who could influence post-election legislative dynamics, underscoring the causal link between electoral timing and honours as incentives for party loyalty.[3] The honours drew limited public controversy relative to later prime ministerial lists, with media focus instead on the election's Brexit mandate; however, the inclusion of donors and aides highlighted ongoing debates over the system's potential for cronyism, though official records show no formal rejections by the monarch or commission in this instance.[3] This iteration exemplified the undiluted exercise of executive discretion in honours, a practice traceable to constitutional conventions rather than statute, prioritizing recognition of empirical contributions to governance over egalitarian reforms.[1]Background and Context
Tradition of Dissolution Honours
The tradition of dissolution honours in the United Kingdom involves the recommendation by the Prime Minister to the Sovereign of a list of honours to be conferred following the dissolution of Parliament prior to a general election, recognizing political service, retiring members of Parliament, and party contributors.[3] These lists have been formally published in The Gazette, the official public record, since 1874, marking the established practice of timing such awards to the end of a parliamentary term.[3] Unlike routine New Year or birthday honours, dissolution lists specifically address the transition between elections, often including creations of life peerages to maintain balance in the House of Lords or to elevate individuals for their contributions to governance.[4] Historically, the practice evolved from broader conventions of prime ministerial influence over honours, with dissolution lists serving as a mechanism for rewarding loyalty and facilitating retirements without depleting legislative expertise.[3] By the late 19th century, such lists were anticipated at election dissolutions, as seen in patterns from the 1870s onward, though they predate formalized resignation honours which began in 1895 under Lord Rosebery.[5] For instance, between 1959 and 2015, dissolution honours routinely created peerages numbering from a handful to over a dozen per election, with announcements typically following the dissolution order by days or weeks.[4] This tradition underscores the Prime Minister's advisory role under the royal prerogative, where the Sovereign acts on ministerial counsel without independent veto, a convention rooted in constitutional monarchy rather than statute.[3] While intended to honour public service, dissolution honours have periodically drawn scrutiny for perceived patronage, as prime ministers leverage the lists to bolster party structures or influence the upper house composition ahead of new mandates.[3] Nonetheless, the practice persists as a non-statutory element of the honours system, distinct from but complementary to resignation lists issued upon a prime minister's departure, ensuring continuity in recognizing electoral-era contributions.[4]The 2019 United Kingdom General Election
The 2019 United Kingdom general election took place on 12 December 2019, electing 650 Members of Parliament to the House of Commons.[6] It was precipitated by ongoing deadlock over Brexit following the 2016 referendum, with successive prime ministerial attempts to secure parliamentary approval for withdrawal agreements failing.[7] Boris Johnson, who assumed the premiership in July 2019 after Theresa May's resignation, led a minority Conservative government facing opposition resistance to his revised Brexit deal.[7] To resolve the impasse and obtain a fresh mandate, Johnson proposed an early election, which Parliament approved via the Early Parliamentary General Election Act 2019, receiving royal assent on 31 October.[8] Parliament was dissolved on 6 November 2019, 25 working days before polling day as per electoral rules.[8] The campaign focused heavily on Brexit, with Conservatives pledging to "Get Brexit Done" and criticizing Labour's perceived indecision under Jeremy Corbyn.[7] Other issues included the economy, National Health Service funding, and regional disparities, but the referendum's legacy dominated voter considerations.[6] The Conservatives achieved a landslide victory, winning 365 seats with 43.6% of the popular vote, up from 317 seats and 42.4% in 2017, securing an 80-seat majority—the party's largest since Margaret Thatcher's 1987 triumph.[6] Labour suffered its worst defeat since 1935, taking 202 seats with 32.1% of the vote amid internal divisions over Brexit and leadership.[6] The Scottish National Party retained 48 seats, primarily in Scotland; Liberal Democrats gained one net seat to 11; and the Democratic Unionist Party fell to 8.[6] Voter turnout stood at 67.3%, slightly higher than 2017's 68.8%. This realignment shifted seats from Labour's "Red Wall" northern heartlands to Conservatives, reflecting public fatigue with parliamentary obstruction on Brexit.[6] The result bolstered Johnson's authority, enabling swift passage of Brexit legislation and the UK's exit from the EU on 31 January 2020.[6] It also occasioned substantial personnel changes, with over 50 MPs not returning—through defeat, retirement, or defection—necessitating appointments to maintain House of Lords functionality and party representation via dissolution peerages.[1]Formation of Boris Johnson's Government
The 2019 United Kingdom general election, held on 12 December, delivered a decisive victory for the Conservative Party under Boris Johnson, securing 365 seats in the House of Commons—an increase of 48 from the 2017 result—and establishing an 80-seat overall majority.[6] This outcome ended the previous hung parliament and provided Johnson with a clear mandate to advance his government's priorities, particularly completing Brexit via ratification of the revised Withdrawal Agreement.[6] On 13 December 2019, Johnson visited Buckingham Palace, where Queen Elizabeth II invited him to form a new administration in accordance with constitutional practice following an election win by the incumbent government.[9] In his subsequent address outside 10 Downing Street, Johnson highlighted the election as a "triumphant victory" that empowered his administration to "get Brexit done" and address national unity, with Parliament set to convene the following Monday.[9] This marked the transition to Johnson's second ministry, distinct from his initial minority government formed in July 2019. Government formation proceeded with a targeted cabinet reshuffle beginning 16 December 2019, focusing on integrating representatives from the party's expanded electoral base, including gains in former Labour strongholds in northern England and the Midlands.[10] Notable appointments included Simon Hart as Secretary of State for Wales and the retention of Nicky Morgan as Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, despite her decision not to seek re-election as an MP.[10] The reshuffle emphasized continuity in key roles while elevating junior ministers and new MPs to positions aligned with post-Brexit and domestic agendas, such as leveling up regional economies.[10] This strengthened executive enabled rapid legislative action, including the passage of the European Union (Withdrawal Agreement) Act 2020 before the Christmas recess, fulfilling the government's central election pledge.[11] The Queen's Speech on 19 December outlined a programme emphasizing Brexit implementation, infrastructure investment, and social reforms, underscoring the majority's role in bypassing prior parliamentary gridlock.[11] The formation thus solidified Johnson's leadership, providing political stability that facilitated subsequent honours recommendations, including those addressing House of Lords composition in light of the election's realignment.Announcement and Procedure
Issuance Date and Recommendation Process
![Boris Johnson official portrait][float-right] The 2019 Dissolution Honours List was issued on 31 July 2020, following the dissolution of Parliament on 6 November 2019 and the subsequent general election on 12 December 2019. This represented a departure from historical precedent, where such lists were typically promulgated shortly after dissolution to honor retiring members and party contributors before the election; the delay was attributed to administrative considerations within the Cabinet Office. The honours were formally notified in The London Gazette after receiving royal assent.[12][3] The recommendation process originates with the Prime Minister's advice to the Sovereign under the royal prerogative, enabling the conferral of honours without the independent vetting applied to standard New Year or Birthday lists. For dissolution honours, the sitting Prime Minister—Boris Johnson in this case—compiles nominations, often drawing from party suggestions for life peerages to replace departing MPs and other awards for electoral service, campaign workers, and long-serving politicians. These recommendations emphasize recognition of partisan contributions to the governing party's success, with minimal external scrutiny beyond Cabinet Office propriety checks.[13][14][3] Queen Elizabeth II approved the list upon Johnson's submission, signifying her intention to confer the honours as detailed in official notifications. This direct channel reflects the political nature of dissolution lists, which historically balance rewarding loyalty and facilitating legislative continuity in the House of Lords, though the 2019 iteration notably expanded beyond immediate election casualties to include broader political allies.[1]Role of the Prime Minister and Sovereign
In the UK's constitutional framework, the Prime Minister exercises the prerogative to recommend recipients for Dissolution Honours, a process that operates outside the independent Main Honours Committee to facilitate adjustments in parliamentary representation, such as elevating retiring MPs to the House of Lords.[15] This recommendation authority stems from the royal prerogative delegated to ministers, allowing the Prime Minister to nominate individuals for life peerages and other distinctions upon Parliament's dissolution.[16] For the 2019 Dissolution Honours, Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who had assumed office on 24 July 2019, advised on the list following the prorogation and dissolution of Parliament on 6 November 2019 ahead of the general election.[3] Johnson's recommendations included five life peerages, primarily to former MPs and party figures, aimed at balancing House of Lords composition post-election.[1] The list, though published in The London Gazette on 31 July 2020 (issue 63874), reflected advice tendered during his tenure.[3] The Sovereign, Queen Elizabeth II, formally approves and confers these honours, signifying her intention as head of state in a ceremonial capacity bound by convention to act on the Prime Minister's advice.[1] This role underscores the monarch's position as a constitutional figurehead, where personal discretion in honours matters is not exercised independently but aligns with ministerial counsel to maintain governmental continuity.[17] The 2019 list's publication phrasing—"The Queen has been graciously pleased to signify Her intention"—exemplifies this formal endorsement.[1]Categories of Honours
Life Peerages
The 2019 Dissolution Honours conferred 18 life peerages, elevating recipients to the House of Lords as barons or baronesses. These appointments, announced on 31 July 2020, recognized individuals who had served in Parliament but departed following the dissolution ahead of the December 2019 general election, including those who lost seats or retired.[18] The peerages were recommended by Prime Minister Boris Johnson, reflecting the Conservative government's post-election nominations alongside a smaller number from other parties and independents.[1] Nominations were categorized by political affiliation, with the majority from the Conservative Party. Labour received two, the Democratic Unionist Party one, and five went to non-affiliated individuals, many of whom had prior ties to Labour or independent status.[1] The full list, as published in the official document, includes:| Affiliation | Recipient | Notable Previous Role |
|---|---|---|
| Conservative | Sir Henry Bellingham | MP for North West Norfolk, former Foreign Office Minister |
| Conservative | Rt Hon Kenneth Clarke CH QC | MP for Rushcliffe, former Chancellor of the Exchequer |
| Conservative | Rt Hon Ruth Davidson MSP | MSP for Edinburgh Central, former Scottish Conservative Leader |
| Conservative | Rt Hon Philip Hammond | MP for Runnymede and Weybridge, former Chancellor of the Exchequer |
| Conservative | Rt Hon Nicholas Herbert CBE | MP for Arundel and South Downs, former Policing Minister |
| Conservative | Rt Hon Joseph Johnson | MP for Orpington, former Universities Minister |
| Conservative | Col Rt Hon John Mark Lancaster TD VR | MP for North East Milton Keynes, former Armed Forces Minister |
| Conservative | Rt Hon Sir Patrick McLoughlin CH | MP for Derbyshire Dales, former Conservative Party Chairman |
| Conservative | Aamer Sarfraz | Conservative Party Treasurer, Draper Associates Venture Partner |
| Conservative | Rt Hon Edward Vaizey | MP for Wantage, former Culture Minister |
| Labour | Kathryn Clark | Former MP for North Ayrshire and Arran |
| Labour | Brinley Davies | Director, Union Pension Services Ltd |
| Democratic Unionist Party | Rt Hon Nigel Dodds OBE | MP for North Belfast, DUP Deputy Leader |
| Non-affiliated | Rt Hon Frank Field | MP for Birkenhead, Chair of Work and Pensions Committee |
| Non-affiliated | Catharine Hoey | MP for Vauxhall, former Chair of Northern Ireland Affairs Committee |
| Non-affiliated | Ian Austin | MP for Dudley North, former Communities Minister |
| Non-affiliated | Rt Hon Gisela Stuart | Chair of Wilton Park, former MP for Birmingham Edgbaston |
| Non-affiliated | John Woodcock | UK Special Envoy on Preventing Sexual Exploitation, former MP for Barrow and Furness |
Knights Bachelor
Two individuals were appointed Knights Bachelor in the 2019 Dissolution Honours, as recommended by Prime Minister Boris Johnson and approved by Queen Elizabeth II.[1] Philip May, an investment director at Capital Group and husband of former Prime Minister Theresa May, received the knighthood for political service.[1] His contributions included advising on party strategy and supporting Theresa May's leadership bids and tenure from 2016 to 2019. Councillor Raymond Puddifoot, MBE, long-serving leader of the Conservative group on the London Borough of Hillingdon Council since 2007, was knighted for services to the borough.[1] Puddifoot, first elected in 1982, had overseen local infrastructure projects, including Heathrow Airport-related developments, and received his MBE in 1990 for prior political and community service.| Recipient | Citation |
|---|---|
| Philip May | For political service |
| Raymond Puddifoot, MBE | For services to the London Borough of Hillingdon |