"why are they any different to all those other trade awards that are handed out every year"

Because, unlike all the other trade awards, they are sponsored by the BBC. Which hapens to be owned by middle, upper and working class wazzocks alike. See?

Licking should not be necessary anyway. I don't stand a snowball's chance of ever being considered, and never did. But I still think we should all always speak out for natural justice.

You don't - that's your choice.