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Liz Truss, the shortest-serving prime minister in British history, has ignited controversy with her resignation honours list, drawing ire from critics who accuse her of engaging in political patronage. Truss, who held office for a mere 49 days, nominated prominent Conservative donor Jon Moynihan and former Vote Leave chief Matthew Elliott for seats in the House of Lords. Her list also includes Ruth Porter, a former senior Truss aide.

While outgoing prime ministers typically put forth recommendations for honours, Rishi Sunak had faced calls to reject Truss's list. Critics argue that her nominations, predominantly consisting of political supporters and former aides, appear to reward loyalty rather than merit. The honours were announced simultaneously with the New Year Honours list, although Downing Street sources have denied any intentional effort to diminish coverage of Truss's list.

Willie Sullivan, senior director for campaigns at the Electoral Reform Society, expressed strong discontent, stating, "It will feel like an insult to many to see Liz Truss handing out peerages to friends and supporters after her disastrously short stint as prime minister. It looks like the political class dishing out rewards for failure at a time when many people are still suffering the effects from her turbulent premiership."

Among the individuals listed as part of what Truss's aides describe as a "modest" list is Conservative MP Alec Shelbrooke, who previously served as a defence procurement minister and backed Truss's leadership campaign. Shelbrooke is set to receive a knighthood. Another notable nomination is Thurrock Tory MP Jackie Doyle-Price, who served as a business minister during Truss's brief tenure and has been a longtime friend. She is being honored with the title of dame.

The list also includes novelist Shirley Conran, the only non-political figure, who is being made a dame in recognition of her contributions to mathematics education as the founder of the charity Maths Anxiety Trust.

Truss, who campaigned to remain in the EU but later became a vocal advocate for Brexit, expressed her delight at honoring "champions for the conservative causes of freedom, limited government, and a proud and sovereign Britain."

Truss was forced to step down as prime minister in October 2022 following economic turmoil triggered by her mini-budget. Opposition parties, including Labour and the Liberal Democrats, had called on Rishi Sunak to reject her resignation honours list.

Labour's shadow Cabinet Office minister Jonathan Ashworth criticized the list, arguing that it showcases Sunak's weakness and is a disservice to working people who bear the brunt of the Tories' economic policies. Deputy Liberal Democrat leader Daisy Cooper also condemned Truss's honours, stating that it tarnishes the entire honours system by rewarding the person responsible for fiscal mismanagement and skyrocketing mortgage costs.

Downing Street, however, emphasized that Truss's list had undergone regular scrutiny and was released simultaneously with the New Year Honours list simply because it was finalized recently. A Downing Street source clarified that it is a long-standing convention for the incumbent prime minister not to block political peerage proposals from others, even if some past selections by the Labour Party were considered controversial.

On Truss's list, three new peers stand out. Matthew Elliott, one of the founders of the Taxpayers Alliance and the former chief executive of the Vote Leave campaign, has been nominated for a seat in the House of Lords. Ruth Porter, who ran Truss's Tory election leadership campaign and briefly served as her deputy chief of staff, is also joining the Lords. Additionally, Jon Moynihan, the former chief executive and chairman of PA Consulting Group, chairman of the Vote Leave campaign, and a prominent donor, is among those headed for the red benches of the upper house.

Notably, Conservative MPs and former ministerial aides Rob Butler and Suzanne Webb have been nominated for OBEs, while former Downing Street special advisers Sophie Jarvis and Shabbir Merali, as well as David Hills, Truss's South West Norfolk constituency party chairman, are set to receive OBEs as well.

As controversy surrounds Truss's resignation honours list, the Royal British Legion volunteer Jill Gladwell, recognized in the 2024 New Year Honours list, spoke to the BBC about her dedication to the organization. Gladwell emphasized that her involvement with the Royal British Legion is driven purely by her passion for the cause.