It is time for Alan Bates to be honoured with a CBE or knighthood after former Post Office boss Paula Vennells handed back her CBE.
Alan Bates NEVER GAVE UP over a 20 year period fighting for justice for the postmasters in order to get a positive result. How many people have that level of focus, commitment and perseverance to do the right thing. Alan should be awarded with the highest awards available as recognition.
a) 38degrees is less meaningful than the meaningless change.org
b) He’s already refused an OBE.
I was under the impression that he refused it because Vennells had one. As she’s now handed hers back in disgrace, presumably that objection is resolved.
Maybe, but I still think he would refuse. He’s generally said that it isn’t about him.
Also, it’s not like justice has been achieved yet - or even ever will be. Many people are still out thousands, indemnifying them will take more than a £75k payout from the government.
A) All petitions are meaningless until they are given meaning. It was the original petition which put pressure on Paula Vennells to hand back her CBE. B) Like @Patch said his objection was with Paula Vennells receiving honours for recognition for her work at the Post Office which has now been handed back so that objection wouldn’t stand, they can do better than an OBE.
The original petition was part of the process, sure, but the thing that clearly got through was the TV documentary. Also change.org is completely unofficial, I sort of feel like the government’s petition website would be more appropriate, although at the same time that process is more about getting Parliament to discuss a matter (and also was pretty much gutted by the Tories since 2010).
As I said in my comment below, I think he would still refuse. In particular, justice has yet to be served and victims have yet to be indemnified to the tune of many thousands - even after the £75k payout from the government. The fact that the government is offering so much to every one of them points to just how much it hurt them. It’s not like they would have offered more than the average loss.
So yeah, while I think he more than deserves it, I don’t think he wants it.