Gransnet forums

News & politics

New .years .Honours

(141 Posts)
Anniebach Fri 29-Dec-17 22:50:30

Darcy Bussell. A Dame

Ringo Star. Sir

Barry Gibb. Sir

Nick Clegg. Lord

Jalima1108 Sun 31-Dec-17 14:13:22

KatyK
yes, I keep mentioning that and now you have too - but there will still be more people getting exercised about it grin

There was no may be in the news report I heard - it was will be honoured.

KatyK Sun 31-Dec-17 14:06:59

Someone on TV was asking why none of the Grenfell firefighters, people who helped in the recent terrorist attacks etc were honoured. An 'expert' said these things are decided well in advance and that some of these folk may be honoured in next year's list.

durhamjen Sun 31-Dec-17 13:55:51

Agreed, Eloethan.
My father in law was given an MBE or OBE, can't remember which, for services to charity.
He accepted because he was going to be given it by the Duke of Northumberland and had never been inside Alnwick Castle.

Eloethan Sun 31-Dec-17 13:17:45

It isn't a question of disliking the people who are given honours or feeling they have contributed nothing. I like Darcy Bussell and many of the people who have received honours and I have no objection to them personally.

I just think the whole concept behind the honours system is rather silly and, like others, I don't really understand why people are awarded honours for doing a job they chose, which they thoroughly enjoy and for which, in many cases, they are handsomely rewarded.

I think the system should be changed.

Jalima1108 Sun 31-Dec-17 13:05:57

So - when those men and women on the front line receive MBEs, OBEs or whatever they receive for their wonderful work will you still want the whole system to go?

Jalima1108 Sun 31-Dec-17 13:04:36

paddyann perhaps you didn't hear the announcement on the news the other night?

Separate awards and honours will be made to the men and women on the front line at Grenfell and at the terror attacks. This seems a logical thing to do as the news of these awards will not be overwhelmed by the normal controversy of the NY Honours.

I hope you feel better about it after reading this smile

paddyann Sun 31-Dec-17 12:53:25

NOBODY who is sane can possibly believe its right that half the 1922 committee received "honours" yet none were given to the men and women on the front line at terror attacks or the Grenfell fire....its just WRONG.the whole system needs to go ,its part of the jobs for the boys mentality and it makes me sick

WilmaKnickersfit Sun 31-Dec-17 12:46:19

To add to Jalima's post you can even download the full list from the government website.

Summary

Full list

Jalima1108 Sun 31-Dec-17 12:40:02

I won't say 'read the thread' grin but I will repeat my post of yesterday:
Jalima1108 Sat 30-Dec-17 15:42:01
From a local paper:

*In total 1,123 people will be given an award, of whom 70 per cent will go to people who have undertaken outstanding work in or for their local community.^

The others are the ones who hit the headlines in the msm.

Grandma70s Sun 31-Dec-17 12:37:29

Lots of worthwhile people get honours. It’s just that the headlines always seem to be about the shallow ones. One person I know who was awarded the OBE a few years ago got it for his contribution to disabled housing, and he is typical.

It’s a pity the silly ones, like Ringo Starr’s knighthood, devalue the many. that are deserved.

durhamjen Sun 31-Dec-17 11:37:21

Never seen his wife giving speeches anywhere.
Where is she patronising and condescending, eazybee?

eazybee Sun 31-Dec-17 11:02:14

It isn't the thought of N.Clegg being knighted that annoys me so much as his patronising, condescending wife being called a Lady.

durhamjen Sun 31-Dec-17 09:55:46

Wilma, he was lying one time or another. Maybe he just didn't want to fall out with Paul McCartney, who didn't vote as he was on tour, but would not tell people how he would have voted.

There's a petition on change.org to stop Clegg being given a knighthood. Personally, I don't think Ringo should be given one having openly admitted he avoids paying tax.

I think it was Michael Winner who turned down an OBE or MBE as that was the honour given to those who cleaned the public toilets.

Hm999 Sun 31-Dec-17 09:35:37

Years ago my mother wanted to nominate a local woman who had run the local Girls' Brigade (youngest ones were 4yo, oldest 14yo?)for over half a century, pretty much single-handedly. The form-filling was so labour-intensive, she said, she gave up.
The paperwork for these nominated political cronies is done by someone as part of their job, it's not done altruistically.

barbaranrod Sun 31-Dec-17 08:26:57

it always seems to me the wrong people get these so called honours ,all you have to do in some cases is be in the public eye ,,sing dance and make a lot of fuss about nothing and_ hey lets give them an honour ,what about the wonderful people who give so much to others who work hard in the community trying to make life better for those who have nothing ,,i could go on and on ,about this ,but it would be a waste of time as nothing changes ,,very sad that these folk get no recognition

maddy629 Sun 31-Dec-17 06:49:48

NanKate I don't think Mary Berry deserves an honour. Just good plain cooking? No, not with all the cream and butter she uses in her recipes. Heart attack on a plate more like.

Lilyflower Sun 31-Dec-17 06:30:00

Sir Nick Clegg. Says it all really. Hilarious.

Newquay Sun 31-Dec-17 06:17:28

And they're now saying on the news something along the lines of "high percentage of honours given to ordinary people" so whoever it is who perpetuates this archaic system realises they've been rumbled and is trying to justify it! You couldn't make it up!

Anniebach Sun 31-Dec-17 03:31:04

Why judge the ordinary man in the street with a politician? Yes corruption goes on, always has done but not by the majority. Good grief Shami became a Dame in the Lords for three months work, that is the most corrupt appointment I can remember , this is classed the same as that woman who has fostered many, many children by some here. Just more class war .

WilmaKnickersfit Sun 31-Dec-17 01:30:28

Looks like it jen, listen to it here
Ringo Starr Brexit

Day6 Sun 31-Dec-17 01:25:34

I loathe the honours system. It tends to reward those in the public eye who already have wealth, fame and privilege. Why more recognition? For me, the woman who has cleaned public loos every day for the last twenty years deserves a mention, not Barry Gibb who may be a nice bloke but will take his gong back to his mansion and celebrate with rich mates in a top restaurant. And as for Nick Clegg - why? The man is a failed politician who has almost single handedly destroyed the Lib Dems! Scrap this stupid and unfair system.

durhamjen Sun 31-Dec-17 01:03:30

www.contactmusic.com/ringo-starr/news/ringo-starr-voted-brexit-don-t-tell-bob-geldof_5821295

So he lied on Newsnight, did he?

WilmaKnickersfit Sun 31-Dec-17 00:25:25

I think he does live in London a fair bit. In any case, it might be easy to start a foundation, but not everyone actually does it. As for voting for Brexit, going by the interview he gave on Newsnight, it's not clear that he did. It sounds like he meant he would have voted to leave if he had voted.

He lives in a different world to us.

durhamjen Sun 31-Dec-17 00:10:30

Easy to start a charitable foundation if you live somewhere else to avoid paying taxes here.

He says, "I live in Monte Carlo with residences in England and LA. I've had a house here in LA since 1975 and I love LA. I love America but I love LA."

Starr admits he has always fought against paying crippling tax bills: "It's overrated. I want to do the Willie Nelson thing - you just don't pay until they catch you and then you do some shows somewhere and it's all forgiven."

He voted Brexit!

WilmaKnickersfit Sat 30-Dec-17 23:32:53

I think for many of the 70% of honours it will mean a great deal, especially if it came as a surprise. Communities are proud when someone is recognised for their hard work that goes above and beyond the normal.

Throughout history people have always bought honours for themselves and their families. Conversely the monarch has given honours to save money throughout history. At least land that comes from the spoils of war in long in the past. I can certainly understand why someone would turn down the offer, especially if the word empire is in title or it comes with a title you can use. Some men have accepted titles because they think they're wives would like to be called 'Lady'.

I find it distasteful that you can employ a consultant to help improve your chances of getting a nomination accepted.