I am aware that this post will cause some to laugh at me. I am aware that it may make me look pompous and self-seeking, and that my small hurts are nothing compared to what is happening to people in Libya. I am also aware it is impolitic to expose vulnerability when you are involved in internet debate.
What prompts me to write about a longstanding disappointment is this phrase from Chris Floyd yesterday:
Thus Craig Murray was not jumped in an alleyway, or killed in an obscure and ambiguous “accident” of some sort, as might have happened in imperiums of old. He was simply shunted to the sidelines and rendered “unserious” by official disapproval.
Which played on feelings that had been re-awakened by a post on Subrosa a couple of weeks ago, on whether Scotland should have its own honours system.
I could never be accused of craving honours. I have turned down three, the highest of which was Commander of the Royal Victorian Order. When I refused that one, I was given instead by the queen a letter rack hand made by Viscount Linley – and made extremely well. I donated it last month to the auction to meet Julian Assange’s legal fees, and it raised £500 (there is supposed to be a second part to this auction where the items now go on ebay to see if there are higher online bidders. That hasn’t happened yet because of Paypal’s blocking of Wikileaks).
I turned down British honours because it would be hypocritical to accept them for two reasons: I believe in Scottish independence, and I don’t believe in the monarchy. I was actually asked my reason by the queen in Warsaw, and I admit I stressed the Scottish nationalist bit more than the republican bit. She was not in the least put out by it.
With this background, you may be surprised to hear that what has hurt me so much is becoming perhaps the only Rector of a Scottish university in hundreds of years not to be awarded an honorary degree. (At Dundee I am not sure about Tony Slattery, whose rectorship never really started because of health issues).
The university senate debated a year ago whether I should be awarded an honorary degree and decided, with the strongest of steers from the university administration, that I was neither “respectable” nor “distinguished” enough. The matter was brought back again to the university senate by Dundee University Students Association, and again rejected. At university court, the current Rector, Brian Cox, formally minuted his dissent.
As to being distinguished, apart from being a British Ambassador and bestselling author, I have a first class MA (Hons) from Dundee University, was twice elected President of Dundee University Students Association and became Rector of Dundee University. If that is undistinguished, then Dundee University has a remarkably low opinion of itself.
I also find it rather curious that I am “undistinguished” but my two immediate predecessors as Rector, Lorraine Kelly and Fred Macaulay, were evidently “distinguished” enough. I should love to know the criteria.
It is not to do with the job done as Rector, because I attended many more committee meetings than my recent predecessors. This of course is exactly what the university administration did not want me to do. I argued strongly against cuts in university departments and student provision, against tuition fees, against allowing the special branch on campus, and tried to revive the notion of a democratically run academic community. I also attended regular meetings of other rectors, and with the Scottish parliament.
An academic from another university saw me in Edinburgh last week and out of the blue congratulated me on my rectorial installation address. I put a lot of effort into that speech, and it is surprising how often people do read and refer to it – I have been congratulated on it by Charlie Kennedy and Elaine C Smith, for example. But plainly a Rector able to make an interesting contribution on the philosophy of higher education is not what the university administration – which is just itching to bring in high tuition fees for all students – wants.
In a life which has spurned honours, I am hurt because I really care about Dundee University. I spent seven years of my life there plus three as an active Rector. If you sliced me, Dundee University runs through me like a stick of rock. That is why, on being spurned for an honorary degree, I feel emotionally like I have indeed been sliced. This really has hurt me.
Here comes the ridicule…
Well Mr Murray I personally think you shouldn’t win any such award! I used to follow your blog and tell all kinds of people about how great I thought you were, how you were “a heavyweight” who was standing up for the common man etc. Then I realised, after one of your posts that underneath it all you are a scum-bag with delusions of grandeur. The post you wrote abou the dumbing down of the BBC with the introduction of local accents, or some such nonsense.
Not everyone is able to reach higher education, or indeed has much time for academia, that doesn’t mean they are stupid or shouldn’t be listened to- and if you think you can only measure a man by how eloquent, articulate or educated he is, you are an arse! It’s pathetic attitudes like that that undervalue tradesmen and engineers that were once the backbone of this country. Now we just have lawyers, politicians and celebraties! Wow!
Sorry everyone for my lack of eloquence, probably bad grammar and spelling… but really, what are any of you doing about the problems this country faces- massaging each others academic egos.
I was going to alter this thread (how can an engineer be an engineer without academics…) to make it less open to ridicule. But I can’t be arsed due to my slight regional accent… it makes thinking harder…..
Mods @Yvonne Ridley 27th August 2011
‘I’m surprised you react to such an asswipe in the first place – to misquote Dennis Healey, being criticised or sneered at from lloyd is a bit like being savaged by a dead sheep.’
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Is it possible to check whether that comment came from Yvonne Ridley, whose website was linked to? It doesn’t sound like something she would say or the language she would use.
For what its worth, you have shared your hurt with us and it is understandable that you should feel like that.
But we also know that it is those who wanted higher tutiton fees and who begged MI5 to come on campus who have used their administrative office to divert whats rightfull yours.
Just think how it would feel if they now turn around and grudgingly agreed to give you this accolade next year? Would you really want the honorary degree if its handed over by THEM?
They do not deserve to stand next to you
Nice one nextus, so fitting, has society really evolved since then?
Craig, I sympathise. I think that the reason you were snubbed in this way was because you have a blog. “Respectable and distinguished” people don’t have blogs. They have dinner parties with sociey’s affluent where they discuss society’s effluent.
“Respectable and distinguished” people don’t have blogs.
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They have blogoirs.
@Angrysoba – heh, I was thinking that!
Someone has to give you a row, so I’ll do it. You should regard these snubs by the establishment as positive feedback, clear evidence of your worth. Try a thought experiment: what if these bastards did offer you honours? Wouldn’t there be a tiny bit (maybe a big bit) of your mind wondering just exactly where you had so far capitulated that your harmlessness could be formally recognised? You are unhonoured by people whose opinion of honour is counterfeit.
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Socialists tell a story of two old Labour activists walking around a town park. They see a tree which has gone rotten, with nasty, ugly things wriggling in holes in the bark.
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“They say we’re like those – things”, says one.
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“Aye, those were the days!” says the other.
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So wise up. The people who it’s unwise to be loved by, hate you with a passion. Furthermore, if I and a few others have their way there will be no ‘honours’ system in Scotland after we have extracted ourselves from sinking hulk of the SS Ukania, so you’re on to nothing there either, I’m afraid. Well, perhaps a pint or two.
The university management has an interest in disempowering the role of Rector … whose main function is to champion the students’ interests in university decisions. Stephen Fry was the last Rector who successfully campaigned in the media on behalf of the students – against the 7% rise in Hall fees (though the university’s response was to bring in Sanctuary Management Services the following year) … and against semesterization (which was later unilaterally imposed during MacAulay’s tenure). Since then the endemic culture of new managerialism has employed surreptitious tactics to bypass democratic opposition, chiefly by buying off or sidelining the opposition … the students’ association was bought off with institutional perks for key members of the executive and a hefty refurbishment grant … and Craig Murray was ignored and sidelined as a recalcitrant Rector. The people responsible will no doubt have honours duly bestowed on them … which shows they’re not worth having, in my opinion.
I would also turn down the commitment ‘to defend the faith. You are a defender of faith Craig, or truth. Therefore trust in yourself and reveal everything you know that goes against that faith. I know you will be honoured.
Someone has to give you a row, so I’ll do it. You should regard these snubs by the establishment as positive feedback, clear evidence of your worth. Try a thought experiment: what if these bastards did offer you honours? Wouldn’t there be a tiny bit (maybe a big bit) of your mind wondering just exactly where you had so far capitulated that your harmlessness should be formally recognised? You are unhonoured by people whose opinion of honour is counterfeit, obscenely so.
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Socialists tell a story of two old Labour activists walking around a town park. They see a tree which has gone rotten, with nasty things wriggling in holes in the bark.
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“They say we’re like those – things”, says one.
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“Aye, those were the days!” says the other.
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So wise up. The people who it’s unwise to be loved by, hate you with a passion. Furthermore, if I and a few others have their way there will be no ‘honours’ system in Scotland after we have extracted ourselves from sinking hulk of the SS Ukania, so you’re on to nothing there either, I’m afraid. Well, perhaps a pint or two.
Dear Craig
You have been treated shabbily, but remember this, you went to Dundee University, the administration just work there.
It’s a disgrace but their disgrace, they care so little about the place that they refuse to uphold tradition.
Dundee isn’t the only shabby university in Scotland with discredited management, I also highlight Glasgow University and their failure in my blog.
Yours sincerely
George Laird
The Campaign for Human Rights at Glasgow University
Chris Floyd
http://www.counterpunch.org/2011/08/25/crude-analysis-of-libyan-liberation/
Off topic./
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Doctors unleash legal challenge over inquest Dr David Kelly never had
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http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2030663/David-Kelly-inquest-Doctors-unleash-legal-challenge.html
Private Eye is reporting that Dundee University had received £713,000 from Gadaffi in recent years.
That’s right, the man whose agents shot a British policewoman, funded the IRA, blew up a plane over Scotland, gave human rights awards to a Holocaust denier and so on.
Tut tut.
Craig, Fuck them…who needs a few scabby bits of tin or a few poxy certificates to prove to the world you have achieved something….Floyd is a pathetic tick who has the literal capacity of my left bollock….Use that brain of yours and write an article on this piece of shit…no doubt it will be all over the place in days…dig up some dirt on him and then shove it literally so far up his arse he will be vomiting his phoney denials for months…..
Hi Craig, I’m a political novice and have no academic education but I enjoy reading your blog because it’s permeated with your personal integrity. No official recognition will ever add to that.
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The psychopathic crooks that run the global political agenda must be envious of the power and influence that come from personal integrity, something they will never experience.
Craig –
Every member of every university should read your installation address – it’s brilliant.
Frazer – Floyd wasn’t actually criticising Craig, quite the opposite. I don’t think Craig thought he was either, just the passage he quotes out of context in sparking these thoughts.
“Every member of every university should read your installation address”
Where is that installation address?! 🙂
Levantine
It’s the last link in Craig’s post.
I don’t know who went to this place, …. — whoever. Their spirit is dead — if they ever had one — it’s gone. You’re building a rat ship here. A vessel for sea goin’ snitches. And if you think your preparing these minnows for manhood you better think again. Because I say you are killing the very spirit this institution proclaims it instills! What a sham. What kind of a show are you guys puttin’ on here today. I mean, the only class in this act is sittin’ next to me. And I’m here to tell ya this boy’s soul is intact. It’s non-negotiable. You know how I know? Someone here — and I’m not gonna say who — offered to buy it. Only Charlie here wasn’t sellin’.
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Sir, you are out of order!
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Slade: Outta order? I’ll show you outta order! You don’t know what outta order is, Mr. Trask! I’d show you but I’m too old; I’m too tired; I’m too fuckin’ blind. If I were the man I was five years ago I’d take a FLAME-THROWER to this place! Outta order. Who the hell you think you’re talkin’ to? I’ve been around, you know? There was a time I could see. And I have seen boys like these, younger than these, their arms torn out, their legs ripped off. But there isn’t nothin’ like the sight of an amputated spirit; there is no prosthetic for that. You think you’re merely sendin’ this splendid foot-soldier back home to Oregon with his tail between his legs, but I say you are executin’ his SOUL!! And why?! Because he’s not a Baird man! Baird men, ya hurt this boy, you’re going to be Baird Bums, the lot of ya. And Harry, Jimmy, Trent, wherever you are out there, FUCK YOU, too!
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Stand down, Mr. Slade!
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Slade: I’m not finished! As I came in here, I heard those words, “cradle of leadership.” Well, when the bow breaks, the cradle will fall. And it has fallen here; it has fallen. Makers of men; creators of leaders; be careful what kind of leaders you’re producin’ here.
David…If so I stand corrected…dosen’t change my feelings on the matter though…
In essence, the general and very simple rule in most political and cultural (where there is no objective measure of quality) fields is this: If your work serves the interests of power, you are rewarded handsomely. You become a paragon, your ‘brand’ is marketed, translated, and everybody hangs on your every word. If your work in some manner opposes the interests of power, you become, at the very least, an unperson.
@George Laird
You have been treated shabbily, but remember this, you went to Dundee University, the administration just work there.
I work at Manchester University as part of the “administration”, assume you use the term “just” as some sort of insult.
I think I can understand your hurt, but as your readers have pointed out, it was because you did the job properly that they refused you the honorary doctorate. They are establishment. They are self serving. They’d rather cut a few teachers and scrap a few courses than let one member of the bloated and overpaid management go. They didn’t much care for your honesty. No more, in fact, than the Labour government did.
I suspect that they are Labour through and through, and time after time you have blown Labour our of the water.
Fred McCauley is an entertaining enough man, but not in the least distinguished; Lorraine Kelly is a daytime tv presenter, I think, and, as I understand it, a sort of Z list celebrity. I’m not sure that I’d consider it much of an honour to have the same degree as she has.
I don’t comment here often, but I read most of your posts. You’ve a cracking intellect and you are, it seems, afraid of nothing in your quest for truth and decency. You’re basically a decent and good man, frequently treated indecently and badly because you refuse to accept the standards that others accept in order to curry favour.
I admire and respect you. (Not that that is any substitute for an honour in most people’s eyes…!!)
Mary, I have no definite result on Yvonne Ridley. There is a contact form on her blog; you could submit a query.
Not Yvonne Mary – She would not make the mistake of writing ‘lloyd’ instead of ‘Floyd’ in my opinion.
Craig
you are correct in saying the administration at D.U. are itching to bring in higher tuition fees, I was at a graduation there this summer, a long and boring speech was based on the dire need for the university to be allowed to charge fees to keep up standards.
Lorraine Kelly and Fred Macaulay Yeah they got their honorary degrees for services to keeping Scotland on it’s knees, chained to the UK.
There’s a whole lot of other BBC Scotland media stars who are deserving of the same accreditation
Clydebuilt
If Brian Cox is awarded an honorary degree, MAYBE he’ll dedicate to you.
The more I hear about Brian Cox the more I like him.
Yes. I have a high opinion of Brian Cox too.
You mean the physicist looking for the ‘god’ particle? Maybe is doesn’t exist after all.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-14596367