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| What remains when the flags are put away? | What remains when the flags are put away? |
| (8 days later) | |
| Judging by the apparent makeup of the royal box at the jubilee concert (Big noise and a big gap as duke misses a date with pop royalty, 5 June), the royals have finally abandoned any pretence of fairness and neutrality. Many of the Tory hierarchy were clearly in evidence – Cameron (and Mrs), Major, Patten, Seb Coe – but I saw no representative of Labour. What is more, it seemed the royal box contained very few members of any ethnic minority, shamefully. Lenny Henry was rightly acerbic on stage about the lack of black people present anywhere. | Judging by the apparent makeup of the royal box at the jubilee concert (Big noise and a big gap as duke misses a date with pop royalty, 5 June), the royals have finally abandoned any pretence of fairness and neutrality. Many of the Tory hierarchy were clearly in evidence – Cameron (and Mrs), Major, Patten, Seb Coe – but I saw no representative of Labour. What is more, it seemed the royal box contained very few members of any ethnic minority, shamefully. Lenny Henry was rightly acerbic on stage about the lack of black people present anywhere. |
| The Queen can invite whomsoever she likes to her own private celebrations; nonetheless, the obvious snub last time to Blair and Brown was offensive to many. If she is now ignoring the claims to a seat in the royal box of Ed Miliband for what was meant to be a national celebration, then that is an absolute disgrace. If that really is the case we appear now to have a monarchy that is making its allegiance to one political party overt, and in that case it really is time once and for all to be rid of this irrelevant and objectionable family. Clive Hurren Chorley, Lancashire | The Queen can invite whomsoever she likes to her own private celebrations; nonetheless, the obvious snub last time to Blair and Brown was offensive to many. If she is now ignoring the claims to a seat in the royal box of Ed Miliband for what was meant to be a national celebration, then that is an absolute disgrace. If that really is the case we appear now to have a monarchy that is making its allegiance to one political party overt, and in that case it really is time once and for all to be rid of this irrelevant and objectionable family. Clive Hurren Chorley, Lancashire |
| • Congratulations to Michael White for quoting, in his excellent Thames pageant piece (Silly hats in the drizzle salute mistress of the radiant smile, 4 June), the off-duty Tooley Street security man's comments on the way ordinary citizens were denied access to the waterfront. I and a friend spent more than an hour walking along that street from London Bridge past the Design Museum in an attempt to find a viewing point. Every alleyway had a security-manned crush barrier drawn across it displaying wristband or ticket-holder notices. We finally had to settle for a big screen at the southern end of Tower Bridge. Aged eight at the time of the Queen's accession, I have attended many royal events over the years without such problems. It now seems that you have to know someone or pay money – a sad reflection on the non-"big society" that has evolved since the Thatcher era, with little attempt to change course by either New Labour or the coalition. David Savage South Ockendon, Essex | • Congratulations to Michael White for quoting, in his excellent Thames pageant piece (Silly hats in the drizzle salute mistress of the radiant smile, 4 June), the off-duty Tooley Street security man's comments on the way ordinary citizens were denied access to the waterfront. I and a friend spent more than an hour walking along that street from London Bridge past the Design Museum in an attempt to find a viewing point. Every alleyway had a security-manned crush barrier drawn across it displaying wristband or ticket-holder notices. We finally had to settle for a big screen at the southern end of Tower Bridge. Aged eight at the time of the Queen's accession, I have attended many royal events over the years without such problems. It now seems that you have to know someone or pay money – a sad reflection on the non-"big society" that has evolved since the Thatcher era, with little attempt to change course by either New Labour or the coalition. David Savage South Ockendon, Essex |
| • Readers who are uncomfortable about the jubilee (Letters, 4 and 5 June) may be interested to know that in the village of Paulton, Somerset, we elected a "Queen for the Day". The winning candidate, an elderly lady well known for helping neighbours, was treated to a free hairdo, a lunch, and transport in style to the jubilee day celebration, where she received probably a more enthusiastic reception than the real (unelected) Queen would have. Cllr John Bull Paulton ward, Bath and North East Somerset council | • Readers who are uncomfortable about the jubilee (Letters, 4 and 5 June) may be interested to know that in the village of Paulton, Somerset, we elected a "Queen for the Day". The winning candidate, an elderly lady well known for helping neighbours, was treated to a free hairdo, a lunch, and transport in style to the jubilee day celebration, where she received probably a more enthusiastic reception than the real (unelected) Queen would have. Cllr John Bull Paulton ward, Bath and North East Somerset council |
| • Thank you, Guardian letters. I was beginning to think I was the only person looking around in bewilderment, as the world appears to have gone mad. In the worst depression since 1929, the nation is celebrating the very epitome of class and privilege. No wonder the 1%, the landed gentry and the City boys are laughing. David Watson Nutley, East Sussex | • Thank you, Guardian letters. I was beginning to think I was the only person looking around in bewilderment, as the world appears to have gone mad. In the worst depression since 1929, the nation is celebrating the very epitome of class and privilege. No wonder the 1%, the landed gentry and the City boys are laughing. David Watson Nutley, East Sussex |
| • For all its faults I love the Guardian and would never buy another newspaper, and I even love my fellow readers most of the time, but at times I cannot warm to their snide remarks about things of which they do not approve, such as the Queen. They are neither original nor amusing. And as for Polly Toynbee, I have long ago given up on her ever being right on anything or connecting with ordinary people or indeed anyone outside her own set. | • For all its faults I love the Guardian and would never buy another newspaper, and I even love my fellow readers most of the time, but at times I cannot warm to their snide remarks about things of which they do not approve, such as the Queen. They are neither original nor amusing. And as for Polly Toynbee, I have long ago given up on her ever being right on anything or connecting with ordinary people or indeed anyone outside her own set. |
| It may not be very welcome, but the majority of the population respect the Queen and even the monarchy, and do not want some superannuated politician as president. Get over it and worry about things that really affect ordinary people. David Hadfield Forest Row, East Sussex | It may not be very welcome, but the majority of the population respect the Queen and even the monarchy, and do not want some superannuated politician as president. Get over it and worry about things that really affect ordinary people. David Hadfield Forest Row, East Sussex |
| • Now it's all over, the temptation is simply to breathe a sigh of relief. But it's worth asking of the bizarre spectacle: who benefits? Why did the massed ranks of the media and cultural commentariat (with rare honourable exceptions such as Polly Toynbee) move as one herd to praise and support an orgy of deference to a minor royal dynasty? Who, in the British body politic, ultimately benefits from a massive celebration of inherited power and privilege? Who gains from the reinforcement of a shining symbol of social hierarchy based on land, elite schools and bemedalled militarism, of "honours" devoted to an empire that demand knee-bending before receipt, of the possession of extreme wealth and privilege without effort or merit, and of a synthetic, cheering group hug that tells us we are all in it together after all? John Medhurst Hove, East Sussex | • Now it's all over, the temptation is simply to breathe a sigh of relief. But it's worth asking of the bizarre spectacle: who benefits? Why did the massed ranks of the media and cultural commentariat (with rare honourable exceptions such as Polly Toynbee) move as one herd to praise and support an orgy of deference to a minor royal dynasty? Who, in the British body politic, ultimately benefits from a massive celebration of inherited power and privilege? Who gains from the reinforcement of a shining symbol of social hierarchy based on land, elite schools and bemedalled militarism, of "honours" devoted to an empire that demand knee-bending before receipt, of the possession of extreme wealth and privilege without effort or merit, and of a synthetic, cheering group hug that tells us we are all in it together after all? John Medhurst Hove, East Sussex |
| • It is only after the jubilee weekend and its media coverage that I can really empathise with people in totalitarian states. What the media is telling us about events bears so little relation to the reality of life for the majority of citizens. That reality was one of sporadic street gatherings, few flags flying, no evident excitement (or hostility), just a massive indifference to events. Yet one senses that nothing must be said and that truth is not an option. Quite bizarre and just a little frightening. David Lancaster Royston, Hertfordshire | • It is only after the jubilee weekend and its media coverage that I can really empathise with people in totalitarian states. What the media is telling us about events bears so little relation to the reality of life for the majority of citizens. That reality was one of sporadic street gatherings, few flags flying, no evident excitement (or hostility), just a massive indifference to events. Yet one senses that nothing must be said and that truth is not an option. Quite bizarre and just a little frightening. David Lancaster Royston, Hertfordshire |
| • I just heard the archbishop of Canterbury commend the Queen to us as an outstanding example of public service. So in the spirit of the late Elizabethan age, would it not be appropriate now to put her office out to private tender? I am sure we could procure her services at a better rate from any willing provider. Jane Caplan St Antony's College, Oxford | • I just heard the archbishop of Canterbury commend the Queen to us as an outstanding example of public service. So in the spirit of the late Elizabethan age, would it not be appropriate now to put her office out to private tender? I am sure we could procure her services at a better rate from any willing provider. Jane Caplan St Antony's College, Oxford |
| • Last year when we public sector workers went out on strike for the day, David Cameron et al complained about the loss to the economy as a result. So why haven't we heard anything from them concerning the extra bank holiday for the Queen's jubilee? Must be costing a fortune. Still, musn't grumble: I'm being paid double time for the two days. John Hales Brighton | • Last year when we public sector workers went out on strike for the day, David Cameron et al complained about the loss to the economy as a result. So why haven't we heard anything from them concerning the extra bank holiday for the Queen's jubilee? Must be costing a fortune. Still, musn't grumble: I'm being paid double time for the two days. John Hales Brighton |
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