Former Conservative cabinet minister Sir David Gauke has described the Westminster phrase “uncork the Gauke” as “something of an accolade,” reflecting his frequent role in defending government policy during difficult moments.
The catchphrase was used when Sir David, who held roles including lord chancellor, was sent out to defend policy changes and address media flare-ups. Speaking to the Press Association, he said the saying dates back to his time at the Treasury.
Origin of the phrase
Sir David credited BBC journalist Nick Robinson, rather than a government member, with first coining the phrase. Asked what he thought of it, he said: “It dates back to my time at the Treasury doing difficult questions at times of controversy.”
He added: “It was always quite fun, and I always took it as something of an accolade that I could be used at difficult moments.”
Knighthood for justice system services
Sir David was among 70 people honoured by the Princess Royal at an investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle on Tuesday. He received the knighthood for services to the justice system, following a nomination by former prime minister Sir Keir Starmer.
The honour recognised his work chairing the independent sentencing review, which published its final report in May last year and led to reforms including the early release of offenders and the scrapping of most prison sentences under 12 months. The review also resulted in criminals on fixed-term sentences now serving a third of their time before release, rather than half.
Reaction to the honour
Sir David told PA it was “a really great privilege” to be knighted and that he was “delighted” about the honour. He also described it as a “great privilege” to meet Anne and discuss her “very close interest” in the justice system.
Also honoured on Tuesday was former Chelsea and Fulham MP Sir Greg Hands, who was made a knight for parliamentary and political service. Sir Greg held several government positions after his first appointment in 2011 and served as a trade minister four times under four different prime ministers between 2016 and 2024.
Sir Greg Hands on Heathrow expansion
Sir Greg, who quit his role as minister of state in the Department for International Trade in 2018 to oppose a third runway at Heathrow, said he would like the Government to “come back with a better option” by expanding more of London’s other airports. He argued that London is better served by a series of airports and that relying on one hub airport is not the right long-term solution.
He noted that the airport already has “quite a big impact” on nearby residents, with plane noise audible in areas like Windsor and Chelsea and Fulham. Sir Greg said it was “a huge honour” to be knighted, adding: “It feels very nice to be recognised.”
Sir Greg lost his Chelsea and Fulham seat to Labour’s Ben Coleman in the 2024 general election. In May 2025, he was appointed an adviser to the Czech Republic’s EP Group, which took over Royal Mail last year, and also became a strategic adviser for Energeticky a prumyslovy holding, an energy company headquartered in Prague.
