Psst: wanna buy a new year's honour? Once it was simple. And now? Well, don’t rule it out | Stephen Bates

I’m fascinated by Maundy Gregory, who sold honours for Lloyd George. He wouldn’t be tolerated today, but don’t assume our system is flawlessAnd so the new year honours list is out. The people – some of them at least – have spoken: here comes a fresh tranche of the great and good.Many questions remain about this process of elevation, but it’s worth saying that in the past, there were many more. As we think about the probity of politics now, from PPE procurement scandals to a one-time MEP bribed by the Russians, one might frown – but things have been degrees worse.Stephen Bates is a former senior Guardian correspondent and the author of The Man Who Sold Honours, published by Icon Books Continue reading...