An example of elitist Britain

I totally agree with George Broadhead’s opinion (Viewpoint last week) that there should be no place for Church of England bishops in our Parliament. I believe it is only Iran, apart from Britain, which automatically allows unelected clerics to sit in the legislature. This is just one example, in elitist Britain, of how members of the establishment manage to protect their own position and are able to maintain power and privilege in defiance of the democratic wishes of the majority.

At the very heart of the establishment lies the institution of the monarchy, the presence of which, despite nearly a century of universal suffrage, prevents Britain from being a fully-fledged democracy. Government ministers are still ministers of the Crown, not the people, and if further proof were needed that the monarchy’s role in politics is not purely symbolic, we learn that Prince Charles has met with ministers at least 36 times since the last election. Nobody knows what policies the unaccountable future head of state might have influenced. Details of what was discussed cannot be made public, in line with a convention of secrecy about communication between both the Queen and the heir to the throne and government ministers.

This is completely unacceptable.

Simon Drury, via email