Author Topic: New Year's honours  (Read 4948 times)

Anchorman

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Re: New Year's honours
« Reply #25 on: January 01, 2017, 02:17:39 PM »
I have no problem with that latter, but I do have a problem with localising them to the extent you suggest, Jim.
Why should someone working in a charity that covers the whole of the UK, or an idea that started locally but which was then taken up by folk in other parts of the UK only be honoured in one part of the nation?  What is wrong with a UK-wide honours system.

As the lady I referred to in a previous post said, the honour she has received gives her more clout when speaking with local and national government.
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Nany of us regard the uk as a political farce long past its sell by date, that's what's wrong.
To be givven a 'british' honour would be an insult.
To be given an honour on behallf of a nation, rather than a bankrupt moribund political union, would be a compliment.
Most charities are sensible enough to have devolved offices in the various nations which constitute the 'uk', anyway, so what's the problem, Hope?
"for, as long as but a hundred of us remain alive, never will we on any conditions be brought under English rule. It is in truth not for glory, nor riches, nor honours that we are fighting, but for freedom - for that alone, which no honest man gives up but with life itself."

Hope

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Re: New Year's honours
« Reply #26 on: January 01, 2017, 04:46:39 PM »
Nany of us regard the uk as a political farce long past its sell by date, that's what's wrong.
So, you're arguing the detail, again, not the principle.

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To be givven a 'british' honour would be an insult.
Given that you, like the Welsh, English and Northern Irish remain part of the union at present, why would be being "givven a 'british' honour " be an insult?  Over the past few years, plenty of Scots folk have been happy to accept such an honour, suggesting that the feeling of insult isn't as widespread as you would have us believe.

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To be given an honour on behallf of a nation, rather than a bankrupt moribund political union, would be a compliment.
I'm not convinced that the 'bankrupt moribund political union' isn't benefitting Scotland more than it is the Welsh or N. Irish - or even the English.

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Most charities are sensible enough to have devolved offices in the various nations which constitute the 'uk', anyway, so what's the problem, Hope?
Partly because, especially in Scotland, there is a different legislative scene that requires them to do so; partly because it allows them to react to Welsh/Scottish/N.Irish/English circumstances quicker than otherwise; partly because they are big enough to do so.  Let's take the hypothetical example of a charity supporting minority ethnic female students that was started in Leeds 3 years ago, has 5 or 6 'branches' in other universitty towns in England and has attracted interest both north and west of the English borders, to the extent that it is in loose partnership with three sister charities, one in Aberystwyth, one in Stirling and one in St Andrews; so if someone was to get a specifically Welsh honour, is it likely to benefit the UK-wide group as much as a UK honour?
Are your, or your friends'/relatives', garages, lofts or sheds full of unused DIY gear, sewing/knitting machines or fabric and haberdashery stuff?

Lists of what is needed and a search engine to find your nearest collector (scroll to bottom for latter) are here:  http://www.twam.uk/donate-tools

Anchorman

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Re: New Year's honours
« Reply #27 on: January 01, 2017, 04:54:37 PM »
Since I have no loyalty to the disunited kingdom, whether or not an honour is of benefit to it is a matter of supreme indifference to me! Many have infact refused these baubles out of principle - and for that I admire them.
"for, as long as but a hundred of us remain alive, never will we on any conditions be brought under English rule. It is in truth not for glory, nor riches, nor honours that we are fighting, but for freedom - for that alone, which no honest man gives up but with life itself."

Gordon

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Re: New Year's honours
« Reply #28 on: January 01, 2017, 05:07:50 PM »
Hope

You said you didn't want detail, although you seem to be getting stuck into detail yourself in your last post, so I'll be concise: the honours system is shite: get rid!

ippy

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Re: New Year's honours
« Reply #29 on: January 01, 2017, 07:28:10 PM »
Hope

You said you didn't want detail, although you seem to be getting stuck into detail yourself in your last post, so I'll be concise: the honours system is shite: get rid!

Yes, but are you sure Gordon? ;D ;D  ;D
ippy

Anchorman

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Re: New Year's honours
« Reply #30 on: January 01, 2017, 07:53:05 PM »
Have a look at https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_people_who_have_declined_a_British_honour folks: It;s an interesting read - a list of folk who have turned down honours. There are quite a few unexpected names there.
"for, as long as but a hundred of us remain alive, never will we on any conditions be brought under English rule. It is in truth not for glory, nor riches, nor honours that we are fighting, but for freedom - for that alone, which no honest man gives up but with life itself."

Harrowby Hall

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Re: New Year's honours
« Reply #31 on: January 02, 2017, 10:35:45 AM »
This year, 2017 is actually the centenary of the establishment of the Order of the British Empire by George V. So, relatively, it is a rather young institution and does not much inertia of tradition hanging about it. Reluctance to reform or rename it looks to me like political laziness.

There is an article from The Independent in 2008 (can be readily Googled) looking at theFrench honours system in the wake of Kylie Minogue being given  a French knighthood. Still, we did make Angelina Jolie a Dame of the British Empire.....
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