Leeds emeritus professor rejects CBE

A prominent academic has turned down a CBE because he says 바카라사이트 honours system perpetuates inequality and is undemocratic.

Gordon McGregor, emeritus professor of education at Leeds University, who taught for several years in post-colonial Africa and was on 바카라사이트 United Kingdom commission for Unesco, also objects to being awarded 바카라사이트 title "Commander of 바카라사이트 Order of 바카라사이트 British Empire".

Professor McGregor said it was important that people were given 바카라사이트 arguments against accepting honours. He believes that 바카라사이트re should be a national honours system that recognises merit, but says 바카라사이트 current system is "distributed largely according to social status".

"This year as usual 바카라사이트 lowest awards include craftsmen and gardeners," he said. "One or two steps up for teachers, nurses, junior officials and sports stars; up again for top civil servants, junior politicians and university professors. Some of 바카라사이트 highest awards are for that most esteemed activity of our wealth-obsessed society - making money."

Professor McGregor argues that it is inappropriate for honours that are awarded for merit to be associated with royalty. He says that: "In Ireland and South Africa we have examples of elected presidents with no wealth but with real distinction, limited powers and wide opportunities for good influence. I would gladly accept public acknowledgement from such a leader."

In a letter to 바카라사이트 Prime Minister, responding to 바카라사이트 offer of a CBE, Professor McGregor said that 바카라사이트 honours system "helps to entrench 바카라사이트 unnecessary sense of class and hierarchy which so inhibits and divides our society".

Professor McGregor was formerly 바카라사이트 principal of 바카라사이트 university college of Ripon and York St John.