An anomaly of the British honours system is the name of the award most frequently given - the Order of the British Empire created in 1917. Each medal carries the words: ‘For God and the Empire'. When the connection between the person honoured and the church is often very tenuous and the Empire no longer exists, except in the form of those small territories which could not be given the status of a nation state. The chapel of the Order designed by Lord Mottistone in 1959-60 is part of St. Paul's Cathedral but its religious services attract little public attention. Why do these conditions persist?

Any reform requires a set of circumstances that will not give offence to existing members of the Order. There are five ranks - Grand  Cross, Knight or Dame, Companion, Officer, and Member - and, in association at a sixth level, the British Empire Medal. Intended originally only for civilians, the Order acquired a Military Division in 1919. There has to be royal approval, as the Crown is ‘the fount of honour'.

The question has to be handled through the Prime Minister who by convention recommends the names of those to be honoured. Because the OBE is from time to time awarded to non-British subjects, it is necessary to consult the...