Would you accept an knighthood/damehood ?

Why ? Why not ? What for ?

I would . I like the idea of my dad having to call me “Sir Son” ( or “Dame Son” for that matter). For my contributions to recycling (I recycle). I also adopted a dog. I also refrain from being offensive towards members of this board on a regular basis. A colossal effort I’ll have you know.

Why : recognition of my charitable ways ?

Why not : because its just and right ?

What for : invites to freebies ?

No, it's a ridiculous system riddled with political favoritism, political horse-trading, posturing and even corruption. And whereby one human is expected to use a deferential title when addressing another, even after they have served a prison sentence. And it is also allied with deference to royalty and the establishment which also contributes to a degree of class divide that is more apparent in this country than in many of our neighbouring countries in Europe.
Many people moan about unelected politicians but don't seem to be concerned about the peerage system and its place in the House of Lords.
And can anyone not imagine Boris not being made a peer in due course? Whatever your personal slant on politics may be, he has been an enormous embarrassment on the world stage and a political opportunist at every turn. However, he will recceive his political bauble in due course, no doubt. As will those who donate large sums of money to political parties.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Taunton Blue Genie

No, it's a ridiculous system riddled with political favoritism, political horse-trading, posturing and even corruption. And whereby one human is expected to use a deferential title when addressing another, even after they have served a prison sentence. And it is also allied with deference to royalty and the establishment which also contributes to a degree of class divide that is more apparent in this country than in many of our neighbouring countries in Europe.
Many people moan about unelected politicians but don't seem to be concerned about the peerage system and its place in the House of Lords.
And can anyone not imagine Boris not being made a peer in due course? Whatever your personal slant on politics may be, he has been an enormous embarrassment on the world stage and a political opportunist at every turn. However, he will recceive his political bauble in due course, no doubt. As will those who donate large sums of money to political parties.

---

Nothing more to be said :thumbup:.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Taunton Blue Genie

No, it's a ridiculous system riddled with political favoritism, political horse-trading, posturing and even corruption. And whereby one human is expected to use a deferential title when addressing another, even after they have served a prison sentence. And it is also allied with deference to royalty and the establishment which also contributes to a degree of class divide that is more apparent in this country than in many of our neighbouring countries in Europe.
Many people moan about unelected politicians but don't seem to be concerned about the peerage system and its place in the House of Lords.
And can anyone not imagine Boris not being made a peer in due course? Whatever your personal slant on politics may be, he has been an enormous embarrassment on the world stage and a political opportunist at every turn. However, he will recceive his political bauble in due course, no doubt. As will those who donate large sums of money to political parties.

---

Just about sums it up in nutshell.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Taunton Blue Genie

No, it's a ridiculous system riddled with political favoritism, political horse-trading, posturing and even corruption. And whereby one human is expected to use a deferential title when addressing another, even after they have served a prison sentence. And it is also allied with deference to royalty and the establishment which also contributes to a degree of class divide that is more apparent in this country than in many of our neighbouring countries in Europe.
Many people moan about unelected politicians but don't seem to be concerned about the peerage system and its place in the House of Lords.
And can anyone not imagine Boris not being made a peer in due course? Whatever your personal slant on politics may be, he has been an enormous embarrassment on the world stage and a political opportunist at every turn. However, he will recceive his political bauble in due course, no doubt. As will those who donate large sums of money to political parties.

---

:thumbup:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Taunton Blue Genie

No, it's a ridiculous system riddled with political favoritism, political horse-trading, posturing and even corruption. And whereby one human is expected to use a deferential title when addressing another, even after they have served a prison sentence. And it is also allied with deference to royalty and the establishment which also contributes to a degree of class divide that is more apparent in this country than in many of our neighbouring countries in Europe.
Many people moan about unelected politicians but don't seem to be concerned about the peerage system and its place in the House of Lords.
And can anyone not imagine Boris not being made a peer in due course? Whatever your personal slant on politics may be, he has been an enormous embarrassment on the world stage and a political opportunist at every turn. However, he will recceive his political bauble in due course, no doubt. As will those who donate large sums of money to political parties.

---

Do we still have the :bowdown: smiley?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Taunton Blue Genie

No, it's a ridiculous system riddled with political favoritism, political horse-trading, posturing and even corruption. And whereby one human is expected to use a deferential title when addressing another, even after they have served a prison sentence. And it is also allied with deference to royalty and the establishment which also contributes to a degree of class divide that is more apparent in this country than in many of our neighbouring countries in Europe.
Many people moan about unelected politicians but don't seem to be concerned about the peerage system and its place in the House of Lords.
And can anyone not imagine Boris not being made a peer in due course? Whatever your personal slant on politics may be, he has been an enormous embarrassment on the world stage and a political opportunist at every turn. However, he will recceive his political bauble in due course, no doubt. As will those who donate large sums of money to political parties.

---

That is why I turned mine down:hehe:

Arise Sir Dandy Warhol
No shove it up your arse

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by the other bob wilson

Nothing more to be said :thumbup:.

---

The only person who regularly refers to me as "Sir" is my wife but , strangely , she spells it "Cur":frown:

I'd accept a damehood just to appear in the Christmas Pantomine.

No. I wouldn't accept anything from the royal family.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Taunton Blue Genie

No, it's a ridiculous system riddled with political favoritism, political horse-trading, posturing and even corruption. And whereby one human is expected to use a deferential title when addressing another, even after they have served a prison sentence. And it is also allied with deference to royalty and the establishment which also contributes to a degree of class divide that is more apparent in this country than in many of our neighbouring countries in Europe.
Many people moan about unelected politicians but don't seem to be concerned about the peerage system and its place in the House of Lords.
And can anyone not imagine Boris not being made a peer in due course? Whatever your personal slant on politics may be, he has been an enormous embarrassment on the world stage and a political opportunist at every turn. However, he will recceive his political bauble in due course, no doubt. As will those who donate large sums of money to political parties.

---

The process itself stinks but, from my opinion at least, it can give a voice to people who wouldn't want a political career, or wouldn't be given a chance at having one, but do have an important contribution to make. Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson was made a Dame in 2010 and while I cannot tell you numbers for disabled MP's in 2010 there were only 3 voted in from the 2015 class, so TGT may have been representing a group of people who otherwise had a very small voice from 2010 onwards. Compare that to Neil Hamilton who has been voted into the Senedd despite all he's done and give me a non-elected house any day.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by surge

The process itself stinks but, from my opinion at least, it can give a voice to people who wouldn't want a political career, or wouldn't be given a chance at having one, but do have an important contribution to make. Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson was made a Dame in 2010 and while I cannot tell you numbers for disabled MP's in 2010 there were only 3 voted in from the 2015 class, so TGT may have been representing a group of people who otherwise had a very small voice from 2010 onwards. Compare that to Neil Hamilton who has been voted into the Senedd despite all he's done and give me a non-elected house any day.

---

Is an honorific title really required for people to meaningfully participate in public life? And should anyone be given such a position for life? It's an absurd British solution.

My grandmother was given an MBE years ago. When she got the letter she hid it on top of a cupboard and told nobody about it. In her youth she had been in the Communist party and she wasn't at all interested in the award.
My dad happened to spot it while he was changing a lightbulb at her flat and persuaded her to go, because lots of her colleagues had campaigned for a long time to get her the award.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Rjk

My grandmother was given an MBE years ago. When she got the letter she hid it on top of a cupboard and told nobody about it. In her youth she had been in the Communist party and she wasn't at all interested in the award.
My dad happened to spot it while he was changing a lightbulb at her flat and persuaded her to go, because lots of her colleagues had campaigned for a long time to get her the award.

---

Isn't it the case that she would have been approached in advance as to whether she would accept it?

correct me if I'm wrkng but didn't Cameron give his hairdresser a knighthood?
ffs...shove it up your arse

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by surge

The process itself stinks but, from my opinion at least, it can give a voice to people who wouldn't want a political career, or wouldn't be given a chance at having one, but do have an important contribution to make. Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson was made a Dame in 2010 and while I cannot tell you numbers for disabled MP's in 2010 there were only 3 voted in from the 2015 class, so TGT may have been representing a group of people who otherwise had a very small voice from 2010 onwards. Compare that to Neil Hamilton who has been voted into the Senedd despite all he's done and give me a non-elected house any day.

---

This is where it gets complicated, because not all dames are in the house of lords, and certainly a knighthood doesn't give entry to the house of lords.

For exmple, while Dame Tanni is a Baroness, Dame Judy Dench is just a dame. So the title dame doesn't disnguish between someone in the house of lords or a woman with what is ostensibly a knighthood.

Still, there ain't nothinfg like a dame.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Taunton Blue Genie

Isn't it the case that she would have been approached in advance as to whether she would accept it?

---

This is correct. My father was awarded an MBE, and was asked if he'd accept it first. To my eternal shame, he accepted, wnet to Buck house and bowed down to Liz while she pinned a badge on his penguin suit.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Taunton Blue Genie

Isn't it the case that she would have been approached in advance as to whether she would accept it?

---

Perhaps that's what the letter was regarding. I was about 4 at the time and can't remember any of it.

The only thing I can recall my grandmother ever saying about it was that she was timing the queen having her general chitchat with the other people in the queue as they received their awards, and everyone was exactly the same time, to the second

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Divine Wright

Why ? Why not ? What for ?

I would . I like the idea of my dad having to call me “Sir Son” ( or “Dame Son” for that matter). For my contributions to recycling (I recycle). I also adopted a dog. I also refrain from being offensive towards members of this board on a regular basis. A colossal effort I’ll have you know.

---

You'd kneel in front of the Queen? This surprises me :sherlock:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by delmbox

You'd kneel in front of the Queen? This surprises me :sherlock:

---

Ugh, imagine having to kneel in front of Charles or William

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by life on mars

I'd accept a damehood just to appear in the Christmas Pantomine.

---

Oh no you wouldn’t!

Would he boys and girls?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by delmbox

You'd kneel in front of the Queen? This surprises me :sherlock:

---

No. Not really. It’s so inconsequential though (even the kneeling) you could just go for a day out and some free food.

They give you a badge and then you have to go and collect it. Damn cheek. Get Edward to put it in the post.

I always fancied a Blue Peter badge, but a knighthood/damehood....?

No chance!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Divine Wright

No. Not really. It’s so inconsequential though (even the kneeling) you could just go for a day out and some free food.

---

I'm not a raving anti royalist, I'm just a bit meh about the whole thing, I don't care about them. But there's no way I'd go to the palace and kneel in front of the queen

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by delmbox

I'm not a raving anti royalist, I'm just a bit meh about the whole thing, I don't care about them. But there's no way I'd go to the palace and kneel in front of the queen

---

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by delmbox

I'm not a raving anti royalist, I'm just a bit meh about the whole thing, I don't care about them. But there's no way I'd go to the palace and kneel in front of the queen

---

Well, she is your Queen. Whilst not in person, you have kind of spent your whole life kneeling in front of her ;)

'Her Britannic Majesty's Secretary of State requests and requires in the name of Her Majesty all those whom it may concern to allow the bearer to pass freely without let or hindrance and to afford the bearer such assistance and protection as may be necessary.'

I wonder if the passport people in foreign countries read through this page before allowing entry? “Fockin ell , this geezer’s got friends in high places, let him through !”

It’ll probably have to be redacted post-brexit to something like

'Her Britannic Majesty's Secretary of State realises you’re probably a bit miffed with all that referendum business and what not but in the name of Her Majesty please let the bearer pass with minimal hindrance as the people in the massive queue are likely getting a bit agitated and afford the bearer basic health cover (paracetamol and plasters should do it) and a restrained degree of retributive action as may be necessary.'

(Btw, I didn’t steal any of the above jokes from Michael McIntyre)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Divine Wright

Well, she is your Queen. Whilst not in person, you have kind of spent your whole life kneeling in front of her ;)

'Her Britannic Majesty's Secretary of State requests and requires in the name of Her Majesty all those whom it may concern to allow the bearer to pass freely without let or hindrance and to afford the bearer such assistance and protection as may be necessary.'

I wonder if the passport people in foreign countries read through this page before allowing entry? “Fockin ell , this geezer’s got friends in high places, let him through !”

It’ll probably have to be redacted post-brexit to something like

'Her Britannic Majesty's Secretary of State realises you’re probably a bit miffed with all that referendum business and what not but in the name of Her Majesty please let the bearer pass with minimal hindrance as the people in the massive queue are likely getting a bit agitated and afford the bearer basic health cover (paracetamol and plasters should do it) and a restrained degree of retributive action as may be necessary.'

(Btw, I didn’t steal any of the above jokes from Michael McIntyre)

---

I certainly haven't.

https://www.republic.org.uk

Fill yer boots lads

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Rjk

https://www.republic.org.uk

Fill yer boots lads

---

Unfortunately, it's unlikely to ever happen as a majority of UK citizens probably want a monarchy and number of others are disinterested.

Personally , I think it should be privatised, as it apparently generates profits from tourism and other vague works they put in and if that is the case and the justification for it's existence, make it a private entity that lives or dies by it's ability to generate it's own profits. It is and should be treated like a Disneyland type attraction and should have no institutional powers (which is just barmy). They should also pay taxes (like every other profit-making enterprise)to the state, not the other way around. It's mad that people complain about sponging foreigners when these people are the biggest, most audacious leaches of them all.

Short of that, we can also hope that further powers for managing taxes are devolved to The Senedd. At least that way we might have the freedom to avoid paying taxes to London for silly things like the monarchy. It'd be interesting to see how much of an economic boost the Royals have on Wales. I suspect we'd be better off without them.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Divine Wright

Unfortunately, it's unlikely to ever happen as a majority of UK citizens probably want a monarchy and number of others are disinterested.

Personally , I think it should be privatised, as it apparently generates profits from tourism and other vague works they put in and if that is the case and the justification for it's existence, make it a private entity that lives or dies by it's ability to generate it's own profits. It is and should be treated like a Disneyland type attraction and should have no institutional powers (which is just barmy). They should also pay taxes (like every other profit-making enterprise)to the state, not the other way around. It's mad that people complain about sponging foreigners when these people are the biggest, most audacious leaches of them all.

Short of that, we can also hope that further powers for managing taxes are devolved to The Senedd. At least that way we might have the freedom to avoid paying taxes to London for silly things like the monarchy. It'd be interesting to see how much of an economic boost the Royals have on Wales. I suspect we'd be better off without them.

---

It doesn't though.

There is no economic benefit to Wales or the rest of the UK for that matter.

A lot of the "myths" surrounding this are debunked within the web page shwon.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Harry Monk

It doesn't though.

There is no economic benefit to Wales or the rest of the UK for that matter.

A lot of the "myths" surrounding this are debunked within the web page shwon.

---

It just makes it all the more depressing though!

I still think privatisation is a way forward. Either that or let royalists pay a direct debit every month as a donation. I suspect all those piss poor royalists would soon change their tune when they see twenty quid a month coming off their already meagre bank balance.

They truly are a bunch of scummers (the royal family that is)

That Barry Knight was a twat of a ref !!!!!