I’ve nothing against people who are distinguished in all sorts of fields getting honours. Even the fact that they are handed to some dubious sorts and political cronies doesn’t take the lustre off a damehood to some well-regarded scientist, writer, actor, musician etc, and the smaller honour that goes to Jane Smith who has toiled in a charity for 40 years. But I do wish they’d drop the Empire bit. It’s way out-moded and embarrassing, and makes some worthy recipients hesitate to take the award. I know a bloke who totally deserves that kind of acknowledgement – the cause he has worked for for half a century or so would be enhanced by him being given one – but he won’t hear of being recommended for that reason.
I’ve nothing against people who are distinguished in all sorts of fields getting honours. Even the fact that they are handed to some dubious sorts and political cronies doesn’t take the lustre off a damehood to some well-regarded scientist, writer, actor, musician etc, and the smaller honour that goes to Jane Smith who has toiled in a charity for 40 years. But I do wish they’d drop the Empire bit. It’s way out-moded and embarrassing, and makes some worthy recipients hesitate to take the award. I know a bloke who totally deserves that kind of acknowledgement – the cause he has worked for for half a century or so would be enhanced by him being given one – but he won’t hear of being recommended for that reason.