I turned down an MBE – I don’t want an honour glorifying the British empire | Nikesh Shukla

I was offered an MBE for services to literature', but I can't think of anything I want less, writes author Nikesh Shukla

Last month, I turned down an MBE for services to literature as part of the Queen's birthday honours list. My reaction, on receiving the email, was very quick: no thank you.

Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire? Is this the title I'm asked to carry? I cannot think of anything I want less than to be a member of that empire. There are renewed calls to look at the titles of these honours, and change the E from Empire to Excellence, which would be a good step in the right direction. But before making such a move, we must reckon with the legacy of the British empire.