Name one thing that hasn’t gone downhill since Brexit – I dare you

I read Ed Dorrell’s column with interest and agreement (Britain is on the brink: no wonder morale is so low, 16 September). We appear to travel from one crises to the next – not always of our own making. Who could have envisaged a dire pandemic or a European war? I too remember that wonderful year 2012, when we celebrated the Queen’s diamond jubilee and hosted the Olympics. I was so proud to be British and felt the country was on a real, positive and unifying trajectory. But after the Brexit referendum, I feel a great sense of loss and to my mind it has all gone downhill since that momentous and in my humble opinion, misguided decision.

As Dorrell rightly states, we now have the Queen’s death and the massive outpouring has been emblematic of how people feel. Only three months ago, we had her wonderful platinum jubilee celebrations – now a constant presence in our lives has gone. This whole period has been so discombobulating and somehow life looks bleak and unknowable. I feel that King Charles III will rise to the occasion and rule intelligently with empathy and understanding, but I rather feel that the “jury is out” on the government. I sincerely hope to be proved wrong in that respect, for all our sakes – or life indeed will get worse and worse before it gets better.

Judith A Daniels

Great Yarmouth

It is hard to imagine the United Kingdom without the Queen. The longest reigning head of state in history. It is therefore not uncommon to see heads of states scrambling to come to London to attend her funeral on Monday.

The crown prince of Saudi Arabia has every right to come to London, represent his country and offer his heartfelt sympathies; exactly as any head of state whose country is implicated in human rights abuses whether China, Israel or Uganda. No one is entirely innocent.

Dr Munjed Farid Al Qutob

London

The royal anguish caused by the protocol on medals, uniforms and titles recalls Sigmund Freud’s concept of the narcissism of minor differences.

Dr John Doherty

Vienna

Life concludes by death, for all of us. It’s a natural law, however much we may wish that this may be otherwise. As it is, nobody throughout history has survived life, however brilliant or worthy. So it is no different for a monarch, no matter how revered and how much loved. Personally I find it more heartbreaking to mourn the death of a nine-year old girl who had never been given the chance to experience life at its fullest, than to mourn the death of our Queen.

She had lived an extremely privileged, comfortable life in a gilded cage, in opulent palaces and castles, surrounded by servants and advisors. She died at the age of 96, apparently without suffering. It was time for her to go, as we all will. She has been extremely fortunate to have lived the privileged life she has and it is right that we mourn her. However, I cannot be the only one who now finds the extravagant pomposity of her seemingly endless funeral arrangements nauseating.

Gunter Straub

London

To keep up to speed with all the latest opinions and comment sign up to our free weekly Voices Dispatches newsletter by clicking here

How fortunate that following the 2008 financial crash hardly any of those responsible have faced investigation or justice. So, if they find Kwasi Kwarteng’s offer of unlimited bonuses attractive enough, they can come back and hit the ground running. They may even be able to dust down some of their old arcane, toxic financial schemes for immediate launch into our economy.

Ashley Herbert

Huddersfield