A General Election has been announced - somewhat sooner than expected, perhaps - but it is happening!

Whatever the outcome of the election, we can look forward to a bumper feast of honours this summer - the King's Birthday Honours list, due to be published next month, as well as a Dissolution or Resignation Honours from Rishi Sunak. And with well over 100 MPs declaring they will not be standing for reelection in July, more than 60 of whom are Conservative, Sunak has rich pickings from which to select those he may include in any honours list. 

Historically, Dissolution Honours and Prime Minister’s Resignation Honours have been met with particular controversy, with accusations of repaying party donations and political favour with life peerages. 

With that in mind, the campaign to reform the UK Honours List does not stop at this point. On the contrary, I remain more convinced than ever of reinforcing the message that the current system of awarding UK honours requires change. 

To cite Hazel Armstrong's House of Commons Briefing Paper, Honours: History and Reviews (Number 02832, 27 February 2017):

      'In terms of service, honours should not just go with a job well done or because    someone has reached a particular level. They should be awarded because an individual has, in plain terms, “gone the extra mile” in the contribution they have made. For distinction the standard should be that someone stands out “head
and shoulders” above his or her peer group in what has been achieved.'

To those of you who have already signed and to those of you still to do so, I have no doubt that, like me, you wish to stand firm to convey our conviction that the current UK Honours system requires reform to reflect the principle that awards should be made on merit, where merit is defined as a) Achievement; b) Exceptional service. 

Thank you to all of you who have, and continue, to support this petition, whether signing, sharing and/ or promoting it. It is hugely appreciated.