Harold
Wilson (Prime Minister)exhibited his populist touch in 1965 when he had
The Beatles honoured with the award of MBE. (Such awards are officially
bestowed by The Queen but are nominated by the Prime Minister of the
day.)
The award was popular with young people and contributed to a
sense that the Prime Minister was "in touch" with the younger
generation. There were some protests by conservatives and elderly
members of the military who were earlier recipients of the award, but
such protesters were in the minority.
Critics claimed that Wilson acted
to solicit votes for the next general election (which took place less
than a year later), but defenders noted that, since the minimum voting
age at that time was 21, this was hardly likely to impact many of the
Beatles' fans who at that time were predominantly teenagers. It did
however cement Wilson's image as a modernistic leader and linked him to
the burgeoning pride in the 'New Britain' typified by the Beatles.
The
Beatles mentioned Wilson rather negatively, naming both him and his
opponent Edward Heath in George Harrison's song "Taxman", the opener to
1966's Revolver—recorded and released after the MBEs.
From my personal collection.
| Группа "Гости" | RSS 
