As a widow, I would point out the tremendous advantage Queen Elizabeth II has had over Victoria in still having a husband thanks to medical advances. As a socialist, I cannot understand why we’re impressed by longevity in anyone from this privileged elite when, according to this week’s report, there is a huge life expectancy gap between rich and poor (Inequality ‘kills more than 200,000 people a year prematurely’, 10 September).
Karen Barratt
Winchester
• Could the Guardian’s leader writer (Editorial, 10 September) please give us a few names of some prominent members of this country who at this time would be more suitable and acceptable than the Queen and Prince Charles to be head of state if the monarchy were to be dissolved in the near future? I am struggling to think of any such person.
Brenda Craston
Bolton
• Harriet Harman has spent most of her years in parliament on the frontbench, and recently as acting leader. It looks likely that she will be replaced as leader by someone who has spent his life on the backbenches. Surely a significant role-reversal and a stimulus to all who have reached retirement age. And, despite his age, Winston Churchill brought political maturity to the leadership role.
Tom Jackson
Stockport
• Lyn Gardner thinks that Charing Cross Theatre’s production Dusty is rubbish and gives it only one star, saying it “takes mediocrity to a new low” (Theatre, 9 September). But “mediocre” means average and, as a Coventry City supporter, it is a level that we actually aspire to. I think Dusty Springfield deserves better but Lyn also needs to be recalibrated. By the way, is it possible to be awarded zero stars?
Alan Woodley
Northampton
• In view of the length of time the Chilcot inquiry is taking, shouldn’t the inquiry into the illegal war on Syria be started now?
Judith Martin
Winchester
