Today, 14th July, is exactly six months to the day since I started this petition to seek reform of the UK honours system. 

Now, 57,200 signatures later, how heartening it is to read the (photographed) article in yesterday’s Financial Times.

Whilst reducing the number of peers in the House of Lords was not an explicit objective of this petition, it is great to see that all the signs are that the new government is wanting to address the unwieldy behemoth that the Upper House has become.

If this is the start of further changes in how honours in our country are handed out - acknowledging those who have made a significant and tangible difference for the better to eg a local community, a marginalised and/or under-represented group etc, then, as far as I am concerned - and I hope most, if not all, of you who have signed feel similarly - our petition has achieved a significant goal

However, for the moment, the petition stays ‘live’ until our main objective has been realised: to see our honours system reformed so that it is: 

• demonstrably fair, transparent and free from vested interest; 
• fully reflects our diverse society;
• celebrated the people who have gone/ are going above and beyond to change our world for the better. 

Thank you again for your continued support.