Would a president be better than the royals?
THE monarchy belongs to a bygone age and no longer represents a modern country in the 21st century, if, indeed, it ever did. Taxpayers pay far more than 60p per day for the Royal Family (Letters) when the sovereign grant, security, upkeep and renovation of properties, royal weddings, travel and expenses are taken into consideration. Tony Blair would never have been voted in as president and so is a poor comparison. Princess Diana, who was loved and respected around the world, would have been an excellent candidate for this role. Other heads of state are not paid millions, do not expect to be bowed and curtsied to, and, best of all, can be voted out if they prove to be inadequate or unsuitable.
G. MATTHEWS, Lancaster.
I AM not a fanatic about the monarchy, but I do think the Queen and senior royals do a tremendous job representing our country around the world. If the republicans got their way, we would not only have had President Blair, but President Corbyn!
STAN LODGE, Boldon, Tyne & Wear. WHETHER tourists visit Britain because we have a monarchy (Letters) is debatable. Our top destinations are not associated with the royals. I’ve enjoyed visits to the Winter Palace in St Petersburg and Versailles despite the fact neither Russia nor France has a monarchy any more. Britain would be much better represented by a president. Inherited privilege and deference have no place in the 21st century. I’d like to suggest Professor Jonathan Van-Tam for the first incumbent, once he’s saved us from this dreadful virus. As Deputy Chief Medical Officer for England, he has represented the scientific community magnificently throughout the past year, inspired confidence and reflects modern Britain. He wouldn’t be interested in self-aggrandisement or a lavish lifestyle at public expense. His everyday anecdotes and analogies explaining the way out of the pandemic have been clear to us all. And I doubt if he’d want to live in a palace and have a valet squeezing his toothpaste!
TESSA OSBORNE, Bexhill-on-Sea, E. Sussex. AN ELECTED president can be voted out of office. But we are stuck not only with the Royal Family, but too many other titled hangers-on.