leaked to The Sunday Times of hundreds of people who had declined an honour, although it was not known why the espionage writer, born David Cornwell, declined the award.Film director Ken Loach revealed he had turned down an OBE in 1977. "It's all the things I think are despicable: patronage, deferring to the monarchy and the name of the British Empire, which is a monument of exploitation and conquest," he is reported as telling the Radio Times.
"I was going to send the MBE back anyway. I could have done it privately, but the press would have found out anyway. You would have been here a week later instead -- less impact," he said during aFootball player Howard Gayle turned down an MBE in 2016, calling it a "betrayal" to Africans who suffered or died at the hands of the British Empire.
"But I now speak with the zeal of a convert. The honours system sucks and we should start again, devise a fair and independent new method to annually acclaim exceptional citizens for their contribution to the nation, not to overweening political parties or the semi-skilled, dysfunctional Windsors," sheActor Jim Broadbent is reported as saying that he turned down an OBE as prizes should be given to "those who really help others.
Next, the distinction of being a knight or dame is conferred on those who've made long-term national contributions seen as inspirational or significant.