The Queen should have stepped down a decade ago

Despite her impeccable sense of duty to the nation, bequeathed to her by accidents of birth and succession, perhaps we should allow ourselves a contrary view of the Queen’s reign at this auspicious time.

Rather than viewing her 70 years as simply remarkable, might we view them as an impediment to the nation’s coming of age.

The length of her reign maintains a physical link to those two aspects of our history – the dubious glories of Empire and the Second World War – that shackle us to a mythic sense of the past, enabling those who wish to do so to continue to peddle an outdated view of the nation’s exceptionalism.

Had she passed the burden of majesty on a decade or more ago, as any other chief executive would have done, she would have freed the nation from its servitude to the past, required it to take a more objective view of the monarchy – as a result of a healthy ambivalence towards her successor – and enabled it to reform aspects of its outmoded constitution that recent events have shown to be urgently required.

Graham Powell

Cirencester

Great article Simon Calder on your epic journey to see The Pet Shop Boys. It made my eyes water!

Surely these travel companies and airlines should stop selling any more flights and holiday packages until they get their house in order?

They should untangle the mess they created, or are part of, and then, and only then, should they slowly gear up their businesses when they can guarantee they can supply the product they’re advertising.

Why should we be treated as pawns in a game of hit and miss on a plane journey or a holiday? Why should families have to be treated essentially as second class citizens and have to hang around at an airport in long queues, in the hope that they will be lucky enough to be able to get to their destination?

Martin Spittle

Dersingham

I read the anonymous column about career burnout with sympathy for that person who was brought so mentally and physically low from trying to achieve the impossible each and every day, and yes – no amount of money is worth that pitiless existence.

This situation is probably being replicated all over the country for much smaller remuneration, where men and women are being harried from pillar to post to achieve even more, and yet nothing appears good enough.

We are often told about a work-life balance but this now seems to have passed many employers by, who spot a dedicated employee, and exploit them to the nth degree. I am glad that the writer has now restored their life and is a much happier person for it.

There is a mental health emergency in this country affecting all generations from our children upwards, and needs addressing at the highest level. An empathetic, holistic approach is needed before it is too late.

Judith A Daniels

Great Yarmouth

I was teaching in France in 1971 when UK currency was “decimalised”. I thought it would be instructive to read out British weights and measurements as listed at the back of a dictionary.

There were 16 ounces in a pound, 14 pounds in a stone, 112 pounds in a hundredweight. There was a look of amazement on their faces as I worked my way through them, but when I got to 1,760 yards in a mile, the whole class burst out laughing.

So, yes, let’s bring back imperial measures so we can all have a good laugh thanks to Brexit.

Ian Robertson

Milton Keynes

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I refer to Amanda Baker’s letter “Privilege alone” published yesterday. I agree wholeheartedly with the appraisal that privilege is a key to success in the UK.

I would add that membership of this exclusive society is not granted by birth alone. It is also achieved in no small part by membership of the Clarendon public school club.

A ticket to a financial banquet for life and a privilege that can be bought on the open market. It is the major product of these institutions that proudly describe themselves as brands with all the commercial implications of the term, notwithstanding that they are, and were founded, as charities – and continue to enjoy the financial benefits of that inappropriate status.

David Nelmes

Newport