This has been addressed a number of times.
Like any game, BattleMaster needs to have a feeling of progression. If you start out able to do anything and everything, humans have a tendency to try a bunch of stuff, then realize that there's nothing new to look forward to, and get bored.
We need new players, there's no arguing with that. But there's also no point in making a change that will make new players twice as likely to stay after their first day—and four times as likely to leave after their first month.
Sure has. Though I do want to clarify that I was never in favor of removing H/P entirely or incentives to play. I simply see some aspects of the H/P system as incentively and some parts as plain frustrating. I also think that the unique player drive aspect of BM means that you do not always need a mechanical grading of numbers to provide a challenge as the other players often provide better challenges than "gain 3 more honor please" ever could.
My ideal state:
Challenge of attaining a Lordship/Government Position: Convince the players responsible for the appointment you are qualified and that is enough.
Challenge of Getting a Bigger Unit: Gain more H/P so they want to follow you into battle.
Challenge of Recruiting Elite Units: Gain more H/P so they wan to join you.
Challenge of Changing Your Class: None, but make class abilities more effective for characters with higher H/P if appropriate just like skills do.
I guess that my opinion is that when it comes to influencing NPC decisions, your characters H/P should be a key factor as the game does not really have any other way to judge you. If H/P makes courtier, diplomat and trader actions more effective, here is motivation to collect them. When it comes to influencing PC decisions, H/P rarely plays a role anyways and only serves to frustrate players. The real hurdle is convincing them in game with your words and actions. Besides, how honorable and prestigious people perceive your character rarely falls in line with your character's H/P stats.
Of course, I as I have said before, I do not have as complete a picture as the Dev team does and I will respect their decision on this as I am sure there are so many factors I am missing that it isn't even funny. I may still complain and through out potential solutions though!