Would you accept an Honour?

[BlueBloodedBlue]

Assuming you'd done something to deserve it.

Just reading about the people that have turned them down, Stephen Hawking, David, Bowie, French and Saunders, Alan Bennett among many others.

Assuming I was proud of what I'd done to be offered it, I think I would accept. BluebloodedBlue OBE or Lady BBB sounds good to me

From the Queen? Yes.

From an MP? No.
From the current PM? No, I'd tell him to fuck off.

From any other Royal? No, but I'd politely decline.

No.

It’s anachronistic, riddled with cronyism and generally slightly nauseating. David Beckham’s leaked, very sweaty attempts to get his sent to procure one for him
were an eye opener.

Also, most of them come with the word “Empire” in them.

The Prince Andrew cover up has pushed me further towards republicanism than ever, in any case.

No way

I’d rather follow in Alan Bennett’s footsteps in most things, TBF.

Interesting. Apparently Vanessa Redgrave - famously very left-wing - turned one down from Tony Blair. And has now accepted one from Johnson.

I think people do what they feel strongly about at the time, but as the above would indicate, not many of us are consistent or have great integrity.

I'd probably say yes and feel ambivalent about it (I know myself, it wouldn't be an easy choice and I'd make all sorts of pigs ears out of it).

Absolutely not

If it was offered for charity work and accepting it was going to raise the profile of the charity, then I'd accept it; otherwise, no.

There is a petition to remove it from Blair. Over 300,000 signed already.
He makes me sick. I can't even bear to say his name.

Not from the current government, no.
My late father turned down an honour in the Thatcher years and I feel much the same about the government now as he did then.

No. Smacks too much of mutual backscratching to me.

I know several and none have actually achieved anything much imho. Just high profile (ish) people in their fields at the right time.

No.
I believe the monarchy should be abolished. I'd have to be a raging hypocrite to be willing to accept an 'honour'

The question you have to ask is WHY would you accept it? To make yourself feel good? To have people admire you? I'm struggling to think of a morally 'good' reason to accept one but would happily be educated!
PP's suggestion of accepting to raise the profile of a charity does have some merit. But I can't think of any others?

I think some people just have a medieval desire to meet a “special” person with magical blue blood and have their photo taken at the palace.

Then there is the notion it makes it easier to book things. 🤷🏻‍♀️

Important stuff like that.

I like to think I wouldn't, couldn't stand the dressing up for one thing.

But I am genuinely thinking of nominating someone I know for one, she does a huge amount of volunteering for the community despite a very, very humble background *... I would like to see her publicly recognised for what she does ... but maybe she wouldn't like it? .

• I only make that comment because I also volunteer - but I was raised in a privileged background where it was very much the 'norm' to volunteer, I have always found it incredibly easy to access interesting & rewarding volunteering opportunities- I know that is not the case for everyone.

I’m very unlikely to be offered one and uncertain whether I’d accept.
My dad turned one down.

I probably would , the title could enhance my reputation and potentially earnings as well, and I'd get to visit the Buckingham Palace for free ( I think)

@Pigletting

The question you have to ask is WHY would you accept it? To make yourself feel good? To have people admire you? I'm struggling to think of a morally 'good' reason to accept one but would happily be educated! PP's suggestion of accepting to raise the profile of a charity does have some merit. But I can't think of any others?

I'd accept it because I would love to meet the Queen or another immediate member of the Royal Family.

And I could definitely do with something to make me feel good, so that too!

Nope.

However, I do take the point about raising the profile of charities/good causes via the recognition.

A couple of years ago I did wrangle an invitation to a Royal Garden Party for a very hard-working chair of a small charity.
They were thrilled and it was lovely for the charity too.

The forms are online and I found the office of the county lord-lieutenant, who deals with the application, to be lovely and helpful if anyone fancies nominating someone.

I’m a republican and would turn one down. I did work in elite sport for a long time and a lot of our athletes were given them - some deserved, some not so deserved I think. The way David Beckham is so obviously gagging for a knighthood makes me sick.

I’d accept a peerage as a cross-bencher if I had a great deal of knowledge or skill about a particular topic. I know a fair few are freeloading parasites who only go for the signing in payment, but there are some incredible women in there who give an enormous amount - Tanni Grey Thompson, Doreen Lawrence and Helen Newlove to name but three.

I would but never expect to be offered one. That does not mean I agree with some of those given, especially to politicians.

Absolutely not. There's no way I'd be bowing to a monarch. It's ridiculous.

Not if it meant kneeling in front of some random person whose ancestors won some battles by taxing poorer people in order to raise an army.

I think this is an unkind thread, the majority of people who receive them have given more to society than others. It's a national recognition of service.

My friend received one recently for her selfless work. She was amazed and honoured to be recognised. I am very proud of her.

No. I know someone who turned one down too.

No, No, No
In the same way, I wouldn't courtesy to anyone or stand for God Save The Queen.