WITHOUT attempting to demean or criticise any previous recipients of the New Year Honours Awards (a few of whom I personally know or knew), I must admire the fact that Lynn Faulds Wood, among other people, have turned down the offer of an MBE or any other gong (The Press, December 31).

I agree with her view that Britain does not have an empire. Even when we did have a so-called empire it was because Britain, centuries ago, intrepidly explored the oceans, saw land and took the lands and the occupants of the lands under British control.

Britain pillaged the lands for the benefit of the rich in this country. Is that a record to be proud of?

Over and above that, most, if not all, of those countries that Britain commandeered have now gained independence and therefore Britain no longer has an empire.

Might I suggest that the MBE should become known as Member of the British Egalitarian Society and only be awarded to local citizens, who are not famous but do great things in their local communities.

Lynn Faulds Wood says that she would like to see an “appraisal” of the honours system, adding “let’s drag us into the 21st century”.

I say encore, encore and even more encores.

Howard Perry, St James Place, Dringhouses, York