Would you accept an MBE?

I interview Yasmin Alibhai-Brown

If you read my last post, you’ll know I have a new gig co-hosting FROM BELOW THE BALCONY, the podcast from Republic, funded by the Human Rights Fund.

I’m really enjoying this (rather randomly acquired) part-time job I now have. I like Graham, my cohost, so much. He’s a truly principled, really fun person to be around. I like goofy things about it, like keeping us to time, doing bits to camera, and following my scribbled maze of notes to make sure I get everything in.

I also feel like these are very meaningful conversations that no one else is having, which (as you’ll know if you engage with my work) is very much my modus apparandi. Why do so few people feel able to speak critically about monarchy?

In some societies, perhaps now including our friends across the pond, those speaking out about kings, dictators, oligarchs, and tyrants—people who seize power without democracy—risk denigration, imprisonment, and assassination.

I recently watched a Sky News segment on King Charles’ involvement with Andrew’s friend, a Chinese spy. Both commentators seemed unwilling to criticise the King, with a commentator from The Guardian saying it must be really hard for Andrew to find work after being a working royal—the implication being, how can one blame him for seeking investment from a man MI5 says is a Chinese spy?

It’s so important that Britons are able to criticise their unelected leaders the way we feel able to criticise our elected ones. Graham, our guests, and I, talk about class, our constitution, and the position the most privileged of all hold in a hierarchy that keeps some rich and some in poverty.

Monarchy wasn’t something I paid much attention to before, so I didn’t used to notice incidents like the one on Sky News. Co-hosting and co-writing this podcast has really made me think. I hope it makes you think too—let me know in the comments.

In this week’s episode I interview The i Paper columnist Yasmin Alibhai-Brown, about monarchy in her childhood in colonial Uganda, media coverage of the royals, and why she returned her MBE.

I’m fundamentally opposed to hierarchies and the idea of receiving an MBE has always made me uncomfortable (the many times I’ve been offered). I do, however, think it’s lovely to acknowledge those who really contribute to our society.

But as I found out in this episode, honours are handed out as favours to all sorts of people… and it’s a secretive and strange process that, if your values change, is equally sticky to undo.

This is our episode with Yasmin Alibhai-Brown.

You can also download on Apple Podcasts…

…or Spotify Podcasts.

Look out for the next episode, in two weeks time, with fellow child of Coventry, actor, author, and trade unionist (yes, we have all these things in common!), the incredibly lovely Jassa Ahluwalia, speaking about non-binary approaches to mixed heritage identity in his brilliant book Both Not Half ~ tickets to the launch at Soho Theatre here.

Love me? Like me very much? Like me just enough?

P.S.

Here’s a bit more about the podcast, from Republic:

“From Below the Balcony is aimed at a wide audience, whether you support Republic or not, whether you like the royals or not. Through inspiring, informative and entertaining content the podcast will show how issues of inequality, injustice and reform are connected.

The podcast will include a range of guests from the worlds of entertainment, media, journalism, politics and campaigning. Through their stories and views, as we chat about the issues that matter to them, we will connect the cause of a republic to the ambition to change the country for good.”

P.P.S.

Currently imbibing:

Deep Cuts by Holly Brickley is waiting on my desk, although rn I’m

editing my own novel, Ordinary Woman Turns 30, and

guiltily binge-watching Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (just because The Bridge isn’t available on Netflix).

Take a look at my recharged Substack:

My novels are now easy to buy from independent bookstores,

it has new sections on Baby Loss

and Journaling,

plus, new pages with info on my novels

and on my development editing and mentoring practice.