BRITAIN'S Labour government in waiting takes further shape today with the appointment of three key members of Mr Tony Blair's inner circle to Her Majesty's Privy Council, writes Frank Millar London Editor.
Shadow chancellor Mr Gordon Brown, shadow foreign secretary Mr Robin Cook, and party chief whip, Mr Donald Dewar, receive their appointments - which give them access to confidential briefings - in Queen Elizabeth's Birthday Honours list.
Labour MP Mr Ray Powell, who has for years been responsible for finding office accommodation for his parliamentary colleagues, receives a knighthood. And there is an OBE for Mr John McIntosh, the headmaster of the London Oratory School to which Mr Blair sent his son amid much internal party controversy.
There are no political appointments to the House of Lords, although there are three new life peerages. They go to Mr Marmaduke Hussey, former chairman of the BBC; Dame June Lloyd, former Nuffield professor of child health; and Field Marshal Sir Richard Vincent, former chairman of the military committee of Nato.
The former deputy prime minister Lord (Geoffrey) Howe becomes a Companion of Honour.
There are knighthoods for three senior Conservative MPs, as there is for Mr George Martin - the man they call "the fifth Beatle". The former Beatles' producer now 72, said he was "absolutely astonished" at the award. And among the first to congratulate him was Paul McCartney whose own rumoured elevation did not materialise.
"Lollipop ladies", hotel staff, a gardener and a shoe repairer are among those who mix with the traditional cast of the "great and the good".
Veteran actress Dora Bryan becomes an OBE. Rock concert promoter Harvey Goldsmith, who brought Pavarotti to Hyde Park, becomes a CBE while there is a knighthood for Jeremy Isaacs, director of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden.
Crime writer Ruth Rendell becomes a CBE while Joanna Trollope gets an OBE. There are MBEs too for Everton and Wales goalkeeper Neville Southall, England wicket keeper Jack Russell, Scottish Ryder Cup golfer Sam Torrance, world champion rally driver Colin McRae and Welsh rugby union star Ieuan Evans.
Former Olympic steeplechase champion Chris Brasher gets the CBE, while Wimbledon tennis referee Alan Mills becomes an OBE.