The New Year makes us think of getting rid of the old and welcoming in the new, which is why it’s strange that it brings another New Year Honours list. It is an outdated concept we get from the Normans. If we don’t end it soon we run the risk of having leftovers from a feudal system and hover-jet cars at the same time.

Some of these awards go to worthy people. There will be philanthropists and charity workers who get an honour but I am fairly sure some letters after their name is not why that started this; for them doing good is the goal.

As with any mention of change there will be people who push back, so let me address some of your issues. You may hope to receive one yourself in the future. It could give you something to finally impress the snobbier members of your family. You could get the same effect by purchasing a big car.

You may be happy that we still kept the system until 2020 because without it Nigel Farage wouldn’t have felt like he missed out on something quite as much. You’re just being mean.

You may be happy that the addresses of the rich and famous were leaked online by mistake. Don’t worry, Government departments are always leaving laptops on trains, there will still be data leaks.

Besides, it can’t be that hard to spot Sir Elton John’s house, I would guess it stands out from the rest in the street a fair bit.

It’s not just the celebs who had personal data released, sports stars like Olympic taekwondo champion Jade Jones was on that list this year. Although having seen her compete you’d feel sorry for any burglars who chanced their soon-to-be-broken arm.

Even if you like the honours list ask yourself if we really need it. A knighthood makes sense when you’re sending people into battle on horseback but if your realm needs defending by Sir Elton John you may have bigger problems.

For the entertainers the reward is their privileged life. For the sports stars they already get medals and trophies. For the people who work for a good cause the reward should be the results of their work.

If we did away with the whole system we would still have all of these people but we wouldn’t have a system that, rightly or wrongly, can be seen as a way of a Government rewarding people for their favours.

Yes, you guessed it, I didn’t get anything in this year’s honours list. That means you’ll have to find another way to get my home address.