Want to be Peer, win an OBE? Just buy it! 😁

Mone is probably running that company!

I wasn't aware you could nominate yourself, my friends with MBEs were all nominated the old fashioned way.

my friends with MBEs were all nominated the old fashioned way.

donating to the party?

going to the right school then quietly working away to rise through the echelons of the civil service being careful not to upset any apple carts?

shmoozing with the right people in high profile charity and politely gracing the MPs, Monarchy and others who probably make your charity’s work harder

being a celebrity

or being one of the token number of ordinary folk who they give them to in the pretence that these aren’t just for the elite

I remember there was a scam in the 70's (I think) where the scammer got early sight of the honours list and then approached everyone on it promising them whatever honour they were going to get anyway but for the bargain price of £X,XXX. Some people paid, some didn't and some only paid when the notification arrived. Any which way, the scammer go paid by lots of people for honours that were already allocated to them

or being one of the token number majority of ordinary folk who they give them to in the pretence that these aren’t just for the elite

You might want to look at facts and stats just to put your claims into better context.

donating to the party?

going to the right school then quietly working away to rise through the echelons of the civil service being careful not to upset any apple carts?

shmoozing with the right people in high profile charity and politely gracing the MPs, Monarchy and others who probably make your charity’s work harder

being a celebrity

or being one of the token number of ordinary folk who they give them to in the pretence that these aren’t just for the elite

I have a family member with an honour. They worked about 65 hours a week for 30 years setting up the open university so that millions more could access higher education.

or being one of the token number of ordinary folk who they give them to in the pretence that these aren’t just for the elite

I have an honour and I work in a village shop....🤷‍♂️
My great grand dad was knighted and he was originally a maths teacher, TBF he then became a Hollywood actor in later life and did alot for Anglo American relations, for which he was knighted.

I have a family member with an honour. They worked about 65 hours a week for 30 years setting up the open university so that millions more could access higher education.

He's clearly elite, just not in the condescending way poly intended 😂

Honours have always been this way, anyone can nominate you for an award, and the reasoning behind it is down to the information they provide (and others if multiple people nominate the same individual).

Those who deserve them, well that's still just down to luck by the looks of it, i know a fair few who have had MBEs and OBEs who i'd say were about as deserving as any other, it's the write up they got and from who they got it that pushed them up the list, this applies to normal folk more than famous faces, who it always makes me laugh when you get a footballer getting it, earning millions a year, and getting a gong for doing that job.

Worked with a guy who applied for a new driving licence and instead of Mr, he entered Lord. Licence came back from DVLA duly prefixed with Lord, it probably cost him £20, much cheaper than buying a real one.

personally have respect t for the ordinary people who earn an award and also those who quietly turn them down.

personally have respect t for the ordinary people who earn an award and also those who quietly turn them down

Very much this.

But if you tell anyone you turned it down then that’s just having your cake and eating it

The whole Empire bit is a tad cringeworthy.

I’d want my money back. Because “life changing” would fail the trade descriptions act. My biggest regret is that half my family never got to lunch at the Savoy and laugh at me in a morning suit!

"I wasn’t aware you could nominate yourself, my friends with MBEs were all nominated the old fashioned way."

If you nominated yourself, why would you just propose an MBE? You'd go the whole hog, Shirley?

I know this'll probably be offensive to those notable posters who got them through honourable means, and this is very easy to say in a position where I'd never be considered for one, but if it did happen I'd turn it down without a moment's hesitation. Partly because of the monarchy association, partly because of the use of the word empire but mostly for the bile by association to the numpties who manifestly got it through some appeal the masses low rent popularity gesture or effectively bought it through fair means or foul. I see the overt use of one (rather than the holding of) much like private number plates as a handy early warning prick detector. The coolest folk are those that get nominated and quietly turn it down without making it public. You get the personal satisfaction of knowing you'd pressed the right buttons to deserve the award whilst not looking needy and clamouring for public recognition or bending before a monarch or their stooge.

My sister by rights could/should be on for one before the end of the career in a similar manner to Tired. It'll be interesting to see what she does about it if the time does come.

If you nominated yourself, why would you just propose an MBE? You’d go the whole hog, Shirley?

I nominate myself HRH The Queen! King! Emperor! Overlord of the Galaxy!

A former employer of mine claimed a very questionabble MBE, A lot of deserving people get them but there may be more like hers that are questionable.
Apparently you can work with the DIT as an Export Champion, which involves promoting exporting and supporting SME's aspiring to export, whilst simultaneously working to offshore all your manufacturing and becoming an importer.

I’d turn it down without a moment’s hesitation.

All perfection sound reasons. The Empire bit needs dropping in this day and age.

If you nominated yourself, why would you just propose an MBE? You’d go the whole hog, Shirley?

You don't nominate for the specific honour OBE/MBE etc - the nominations committee? receives the applications and decides who should be put forward for what type of honour.

but if it did happen I’d turn it down without a moment’s hesitation

I had seriously thought about turning mine down, and had discussed this with the wife and my parents - specially for political reasons because it was Boris's new years list, but it means far more to the community around me & my work than it does for me, so accepted it for them - the only place I use the title is on linkedin to piss off my old bosses who thought I was nuts giving up a good career for running a tiny shop. I found going to the coronation which it enabled a far bigger honour, proper once in a lifetime chance to represent my community for which I'm thankful I didn't turn it down.

but it means far more to the community around me & my work than it does for me, so accepted it for them

I was REALLY hoping one of our honoured brethren was not going to coming back with that line 😄. It's used in Yes Minister by some narcissistic scrote as to why is was their duty to accept the award. The studio audience laughs along....almost like they don't believe him 😉

I had a fair bit of abject horror from the locals I told in the shop that I was tempted to turn it down when awarded, glad I didn't as I said, but it's makes zero difference day to day, and zero difference to the shop other than some small publicity initially. It's something that'll get forgotten about throughout my life until my obituary I assume.

I can cirtainly see a case for turning down an honour, I cant see why anyone would want to try to buy into the honours system other than for vanity.

I want to be clear that as the poster of the thread the main concern I had was the fact that agencies can be hired to, let's say, boost your chances of becoming a peer etc.

I have no problem with people being recognised for the work/ good they have done in their chosen field. Not so much footballers but still! Id also like a system not linked to the monarchy but that's purely as I'm not keen on our country in the 21st century having such an institution.

As you were. 👍😀

Alan Turin (my hero) was awarded an OBE for service in the Second World War. Mine came as a complete and utter surprise, and nothing like his contribution. But I viewed COVID as similar circumstances. A one-time opportunity to give service for the national need. I have a nice letter signed by Elizabeth, a badge and memories of meeting the now King. I’m pleased it didn’t come with the job, position or length of service, and I can point to a contribution I made (one day to the future grandchildren 🤣). The most moving part was when a lady in the Savoy came up to me, and just said thank you with tears in her eyes.

the main concern I had was the fact that agencies can be hired to, let’s say, boost your chances of becoming a peer etc.

Agencies can be hired to boost your chances of gaining planning permission - it still doesn't mean permission will be granted. But yes it probably give an advantage over others who are possibly more worthy of an award - I think those that are most worthy don't get nominated because the system is quite old and needs modernization. The guy who nominated me found the process a challenge I believe.

I was honoured years ago ...

My cycling proficiency badge is better!

What levels of survival do bronze, silver and gold require? I'd assume surviving and not being dead would be the gold standard...😉

A great number of these people who do nothing worthwhile to receive them could do with an OBE* rather than an award…..

( I have spent some time in the company of a retired SAS gentlemen this week who has a different meaning for this acronym 😂)

I have my cycling proficiency AND 2 Silver ASA swimming badges
and a sort of lifeboat badge