By IRNA,
London : Politicians, including former prime minister Tony Blair, were notably absent in the New Year Honour List approved by the Britain’s monarch.
The annual awards, nominated by government departments and the general public, also largely excluded names of top bankers for the second successive year after being blamed for the credit crunch crisis and subsequent economic recession.
At least 121 MPs have announced that they will not stand again for parliament at next year’s general election, but none is mentioned for an honours award with so many being discredited in the exposed expenses scandal that caused so much public disquiet.
Two-and-a-half years since stepping down from power, Blair also remains excluded from an expected knighthood, a mediaeval title for chivalry, which is regularly bestowed on senior politicians for services to the country.
Next month, the former prime minister is due to give evidence to the Iraq inquiry over his role in leading the country into the 2003 war, which many feel was illegal and led to his premature downfall in 2007.
The majority of the honours went to those who have maintained affections of the British public: lately victorious sports stars, long-established actors, charity workers and the two remaining original members of the rock band Status Quo.
The honours were hailed by the Jewish Chronicle Thursday as being dominated by Jews, including three of the 20 recipients of knighthoods as well as almost 20 other awards, such as Commanders of the British Empire.