A brief outline of the titles, honours and distinctions which may be awarded to citizens. This article does not include military awards or the hereditary peerage. It is not a comprehensive guide. The Royal family and the British Honours system are the root causes of the English class system. Both concepts evolved from the mists of our ancient history and should therefore not be discarded or amended without a very great deal of thought.
Many people consider both to be stabilising features of our national life.
Many other people consider them hopelessly outdated and very divisive. Many other people never give the subject any consideration. The Churchill Society believe reform should be considered. British honours are thought by the public to be awarded on merit, and on the basis of exceptional achievement or service. Alas this is not always the case.