Honours system to be streamlined
- deskpilot
- 1 day ago
- 1 min read
The government has announced that it will act decisively and take difficult decisions to revamp the honours system.
A decorated spokesman (CBE, services to diplomacy, British Consulate in Barbados) said: 'There is a clear case to simplify the honours system. Anyone who wins Sports Personality of the Year will automatically get a gong. If they have vanquished the Germans or the French, then they are likely to be made a Knight or a Dame as well. Obviously, that would have to be in a proper sport, so not cheese rolling, bog snorkeling or darts.
'The Baftas are the same. Three Baftas usually get you an OBE, it's six Baftas for a CBE, and ten Baftas for a knighthood. If you've got a gold Blue Peter badge, done charity work or made political donations, then you'll be fast tracked.
'The government will put a new simplified system in place, combining all these awards to athletes, actors and celebrities. Awards to diplomats will be made in the basis of their length of service, taking account of any wars ended or started. We propose to cap these honours at no more than 800 a year. And awards to long serving lollipop ladies will be limited to seven a year.
'Finally, there will be no changes to the system for awards to MPs and party donors. The number of honours in these categories will remain uncapped.'