New .years .Honours

www.theguardian.com/public-leaders-network/2017/dec/29/local-government-fire-police-2018-new-year-honours-list

Interesting list of refusers dj. I see that some refused then the ante was upped and they were offered higher honours and still refused. I wonder if some people refuse eg an OBE and hope to get a knighthood next time round?

Some turn down anything to do with empire but accept a CH later on because they think it's not the same as an empire medal.

there is NO British Empire however much the some like to believe there still is...so WHY give out empire medals..its clearly ridiculous .We have enough stupidity over class systems without these stupid honours making some think they are superior beings...I remember a story about a famous actor whose friend called him by his first name ...he refused to answer until his friend ...of many years ...amended the request and called him Sir D....I'd have said bye bye to him and NOT added Sir to that either .

Jane, it was said that Roald Dahl did just that, but died before he received the knighthood.

Wikipedia has details of people who refused and why in lots of cases. It is more up to date than the one jen kindly posted.

List of people who turned down British honours

Don't know why, but I am surprised Bernice Eccleston refused.

My friend was awarded an MBE in 1971 when such things mattered. She received it for her hard work in the local community. These days these things are handed out like sweets and mean little or nothing to the wider population.

Sorry I cannot agree W11girl, an honour now to people who work in their community means as much as your friend's meant to her

only if you believe in the system Annie..a very flawed system at best and corrupt at its worst

Paddyann Totally agree with you, a flawed and corrupt system. It should be done away with.

So PaddyAnn, you think the people around the country who have been awarded an honour are either in cahoots with a corrupt system or are proud of something they should be ashamed of because they didn't earn their honour it was a fiddle ?

A member of my extended family, age 101, is pleased to accept hers, she places it second only to being made an honourary Bard , and she is no fool

The system has been degraded over many years. If it was scrapped now that would mean all those who really do deserve an honour would miss out and that could be particularly sensitive for them looking at all those idiots who have had an honour they do not really deserve. Not an easy problem to resolve.

What has Ringo Starr done that deserves a knighthood? He was lucky enough to get to play drums with the Beatles and did some voiceover work on the back of that for Thomas the Tank Engine. This completely devalues the honour of a knighthood.

and thats her choice Annie but its still flawed and corrupt...many "honours" are bought and paid for others got by the back door by toadying to politicians or politicians toadying to get something in return...not MY idea of honourable at all.But whatever you're comfortable with.Like the monarchy its out of date .It only serves to confirm a "class " divide.The I have a title so I'm better than you...like the two Ronnie sketch

nannysue the knighthood was for services to music and charity. Ringo Starr does a lot of work for charity. If you Google him you will see all the causes he supports. He also started a charitable foundation in 2001 with his wife Barbara Bach called the Lotus Foundation and you can read about the causes it supports here

Lotus Foundation

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.

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!

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.

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

So he lied on Newsnight, did he?

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.

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

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 .

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!

Sir Nick Clegg. Says it all really. Hilarious.

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.