Justin Welby said something profound at the Queen’s funeral

It is to be hoped that Justin Welby’s words in honour of the Queen, that those who serve “will be loved and remembered when those who cling to power and privileges are long forgotten,” will not fall on deaf ears.

If we take anything from the death of Queen Elizabeth II, it should be that self-serving opportunism is no substitute for selfless service and dedication to the safety and welfare of others.

Graham Powell

Cirencester

Susan Alexander in yesterday’s Letters expresses a common concern about our ability to choose suitable candidates to be our president.

Can I suggest that if Eire can come up with presidents of the stature of Mary Robinson and Mary McAleese, we should not doubt our ability to do the same.

Joanna Pallister

Durham City

It seems that some nonentities received VIP passes to attend Westminster Hall.

Well done David Beckham who, I am sure, could have obtained a VIP pass but chose instead to take his turn in the queue with the hoi polloi. Not only that, but he was dressed most respectfully in a dark suit, white shirt and black tie.

Mike Stroud

Swansea

Of all the many illogical changes that the new government is proposing, the massive tax cuts seem to me to be the most destructive to both the economy and the reputation of the Tory party.

The huge level of borrowing required to fund the energy crisis bailout, coupled with the rejection of an increased windfall tax on the excessive profits of the energy companies, will put the country in a truly perilous economic state for years – or even decades – to come.

Another disastrous decision is the proposal to renew fracking and hydrocarbon prospecting. Clearly, the oil and gas companies are getting their money’s worth from their lobbying organisations.

David Felton

Wistaston

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Harry Cockburn’s article rightly highlights the frighteningly wrong thinking in our current leadership. He asks the question, “cui bono?” and it’s quite clear that the latest awful PM is deeply in hock to the fossil fuel companies.

Let’s not forget that the largest single donation to Liz Truss’s campaign fund came from the wife of a former BP executive. To how many other oil industry magnates is she indebted, I wonder?

Major global events, the obvious imminence of a catastrophic climate crisis, the likelihood of massive mortality rates – does this all mean nothing when your only priority is helping yourself and your rich cronies to get richer? Heaven help us.

Lynda Newbery

Bristol