To the OP, it all depends on your stance on "the esbtalishment".

And your definition of "what is folk". Cue endless debates on both.

FWIW there are possible too many gongs handed-out, it devalues the kudos that can be extracted from them.

It is a political tool wielded by both sides, to curry favour with their electorate, or the middle ground in the majority of cases, to be more accurate.