Order of the lickspittle, anyone?

The relationship between politicians and honours has not always been a happy one.

David Lloyd George sold peerages and other honours; his broker the "monocled dandy" Maundy Gregory was later jailed for trying to sell a knighthood.

The Honours (Prevention of Abuses) Act 1925 has failed to innoculate other governments from "cash for honours" allegations, even if those allegations have never been proven.

With the parliamentary expenses scandal fresh in the memory, it takes a bold politician to suggest rewarding politicians.

Step forward David Cameron, who has revived the parliamentary and political service honours committee.

There was a time when Tory MPs of a certain vintage could look forward to a knighthood, as ordinary workers would look forward to a long-service watch.

The Liberal Democrats, too, used to dispense political honours - failed parliamentary candidates could sometimes look forward to an OBE by way of consolation, although for many in politics public service is its own reward.

The new committee will also consider awards for members of the UK's devolved assemblies, although there has yet to be a rush of interest from hard-working AMs in Cardiff Bay.

One Welsh politician did put his head above the parapet this week to suggest a gong for someone. Chelsea fan Peter Hain put forward Frank Lampard (a multi-millionaire Tory former public schoolboy) as a worthy recipient of an OBE.

The Neath MP told London's Evening Standard: "That would be a fitting tribute not just to the great triumph at Munich which he led but also to a long and distinguished career of high class football played with flair and respect."

But back to those gongs for political and parliamentary service. Tory MP Priti Patel, a member of the public administration committee, asked: "Why should the public trust this committee and how can the public have confidence that this isn't certain sections of the British establishment handing out gongsto each other and just patting themselves on the back and rewarding each other?"

Another committee member, Paul Flynn, had another suggestion for those behind the new awards: "Did you consider if you were rewarding people who were the whips' favourite, the order of the lickspittle or the order of the toadie, which would be appropriate?"

Will any member of the new parliamentary and political service honours committee have the sense of mischief to put forward Mr Flynn for a gong?