JK Rowling reveals she turned down peerages twice after Kemi Badenoch offer

[IwantToRetire]

Harry Potter author JK Rowling has revealed she has rebuffed two offers of a peerage following Conservative politician Kemi Badenoch, publicly announcing she would appoint her to the House of Lords.

The iconic author, 59, was praised by the Secretary of State for Business who said if she won the Tory leadership, she would be able to appoint some peers for being outspoken figures in the gender debate. However, this did little to sway the fictional writer.

Taking to X, JK recently wrote: "It’s considered bad form to talk about this but I’ll make an exception given the very particular circumstances. I’ve already turned down a peerage twice, once under Labour and once under the Tories. If offered one a third time, I still wouldn’t take it. It’s not her, it’s me."

The former equalities minister claimed in an interview with the Talk online streaming service, that she had "managed to get Dr Hilary Cass a peerage" following her controversial review of NHS gender identity services. The Cass review, published in April, found care had been directed by "ideology on all sides" and was based on "remarkably weak evidence."

Continues at https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/jk-rowling-reveals-turned-down-33933559

Security for her in London would be difficult/nightmare/pain in the arse.

Yes, I was thinking that. It would be hard to do the job justice under that level of scrutiny. Her fame would be a massive disadvantage.

Whereas online, it's obviously a massive benefit.

Of course she owes nobody a thing. But it is still disappointing, because it's possible there will come a future where women of conscience who are outspokenly GC may not be seen as desirable candidates for the HoL. Certainly I cannot see anyone of her unique calibre being given the opportunity again.

Does anyone know of any such GC women of influence currently, who could be offered a peerage and would be willing to take it?

Ok but anyone else?

Datun?

I would think it would make it impossible.

I think I'd rather be queen. Or Dame, actually. It has a certain alliterative ring.

What is with politicians wanting to give celebs peerages?

She's more than a celeb, she's a philanthropist.

Far more powerful as a GC billionaire without any Westminster hassle. As we’ve witnessed to date.

Is she though?

Far more powerful and influential as a billionaire on the ground or as a person in the HoL, able to ask the government questions? Scrutinising policy that affects women directly? Having a role in refining and requesting amendment of proposed policy?

Tbf she's done a lot and had a horrible time for daring to speak out

To be fair JKR really does not have time to accept a peerage. She needs to expend all her energies on getting Robin and Cormoran kissing first, then she can maybe think about it.

I mean she’s basically Dumbledore isn’t she? Working outside govt to great effect, inspiring the rebels, scaring the politicians with her integrity and truth-telling. I would love to see her in the Lords but she seems very canny about how to use her power effectively so I’m sure her decision is a good one. And yes we need Strike and Robin to sort their issues out and that’s important too.

Kissing? Kissing?
Will we have to wait 6 more books for a shag?

Lets face it she's still got time to take up such as offer at a later date.

But at the moment she has a far bigger political platform on X. (Although part of me is sad that she didn't move on to some other platform as her outreach must boost X as a product no end!)

But was thinking in relation to the article, that it also reflects Badenoch's ability to self promote (with a cause). Claiming she got Hilary Cass her peerage (any evidence?).

Imagine her GC credentials if she did persuade JKR to be "elevated".

But makes you think should Badenoch ever get power she could cram the HoL with GC women!

I think as leader of the opposition she could only suggest.

Would JKR have had the same freedom to, for example, take on the Scottish government over their hate crime law if she'd been part of the law making establishment? I don't know the answer but I imagine there are codes and rules and that she'd have faced attempts to discipline and silence her.

I think you need people on the outside and the inside and, if she prefers the outside, that's OK by me.

I've no idea whether she'd be up for it but I'd nominate Sharron Davies.

Sharron Davies would be great!

Dame Datun has a lovely ring to it!

Would JKR have had the same freedom to, for example, take on the Scottish government over their hate crime law if she'd been part of the law making establishment?

Good point. She can be more of a maverick on the outside. And given she's a creative genius, it would be awful to stymie all those wonderful tweets.

Dame Datun has a lovely ring to it!

IKR!!

I think there are other people who could and already do, a terrific job in the HOL. I can't think of anyone else who could do what JKR does on the outside. They've tried to cancel her and they've failed because they can't make any dent in her income, she can pay for the best legal advice and - if they did try and sue her - the best lawyers.

Plus she's sublime in Twitter - not just brave and to the point but also very funny. In fact when this is over, I think she could make it as a writer.

At this point I will take what I can get (and rely on fan fiction instead).

I wonder if she likes sherbet lemons 🤔

Are you considering bribery?