More effort needs to be made to dispel the old suspicion that well-paid, taxpayer-funded, employment at the top of the BBC – like the higher ranks of the civil service, armed forces the law or CoE – are appointments unfairly reserved by gatekeepers to meet the supply of privately educated students who are good at English and history and not inclined to become builders, electricians, police officers or nurses (New Question Time host should be a woman, 22 June). The vacancy created by the departure of David Dimbleby should be filled by any individual who attended a comprehensive school and who did not collect a degree in history, English or some version of philosophy, politics and economics from the Oxbridge gatekeepers.
Miles Secker
Heckington, Lincolnshire
• Wouldn’t the sensible approach to Dimbleby’s replacement be to alternate the chair between male and female journalists? There are plenty of both genders well qualified for the role and it would give the viewing public a weekly opportunity to experience whatever gender differences in approach there may be. An additional benefit would be to reduce the possibility of the programme once again becoming a vehicle for a particular personality.
Neil Wigglesworth
Forton, Lancashire
• Further to Priscilla Kemp’s letter (20 June), the question is why the broadcasting companies have been so indulgent in keeping on presenters who have failed to adapt to today’s audiences. Some – not all – of those presenters she mentions have not developed the more consensual, less hectoring style required. High time to move them on and give young women a chance.
Richard Goude
Eastbourne, East Sussex
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