Last week there was some fevered speculation, fueled by the Times, that Gordon Brown was set to offer Cardinal Cormac a secular peerage following his long awaited removal as Cardinal Archbishop of Westminster.
Allegedly the subject was raised by Brown during his meeting with His Holiness the other week – leading HH to adopt the posture of all important people listening to Gordon Brown; nodding and politely agreeing to consider things while inwardly remarking how bad his breath was.
My initial reaction was incredulity. The Prime Mentalist was grabbing at straws to try and position himself next to any leader more in control than he. The Pope would surely never consider creating an unique exception to a global ban on clergy in politics for the well intentioned but surely unexceptional Cormac?
That said it was wryly noted in the clubhouse that some members thought Cormac already sat in the Lords’ with the rest of the Anglican Bishops.
But beyond naughty humour little was made of it.
This week’s offer of a knighthood by Brown to the ageing and ailing whiskey priest of the US Senate, Ted Kennedy began to sow serious seeds of doubt. As Blair sold honours to the highest bidder, Brown appears to be handling them out as souvenirs to foreigners.
I took it upon myself to make some phonecalls and do some delving. Having bought several pints in the Sport and Rec for some characters working for those left of the aisle, I can confirm the rhumour. Cormac has been offered a peerage.
It seems this was done following considerable pressure from the Labour Catholic caucus in the Commons who feel that some increased tribalism might save a few of the more marginal seats around the North West, especially in parts of Manchester.
I have no information about how His Holiness has taken to the idea but one can only assume the problem of having two “pre-eminent” Catholic Bishops in London would be sub-optimal and the precedent worrying.
Posted by Capt. 