• RESPONDING to the letter from Philip Kemp (Tourists visit republics too, October 6) and other comments, my points (Elizabeth II so admired, September 29) were:

— At a time when a large proportion of the country were mourning the loss of Elizabeth II, or simply reflecting on the passing of an era, the nastily worded article [Forum by Graham Smith, September 15] and the timing of its publication in the same week was crass and totally insensitive. It should at least have been held back another week.

— Irrespective of Mr Kemp’s comments, it may be a cliché but the existence in Britain of the monarchy, with all its rituals and traditions, is a great draw for visitors from all over the world and is worth millions, especially for the hospitality industry. One could argue for the abolition of the Lord Mayor of London and associated expenditure and flummery for the same reason.

— As Prince of Wales Charles founded The Prince’s Trust for charitable work and has had a tremendous influence on and support for environmental issues. It is a great shame that as king he is unable to be further involved on something so close to both him and the royal family who, whether one likes it or not, have had a great influence in that sphere, fortunately being carried on by his sons.

— Being a republic would relegate us to being just another country with no real character or identity and holds the frightening prospect of a Trump or Thatcher or Hitler being in charge without any form of restriction on their behaviour.

Irrespective of one’s personal feelings about royalty I prefer the current constitution but with a major change to voting by proportional representation and the essential opportunity for the public to vote for a prime minister they respect instead of the blue-rinse brigade forcing us to suffer their ill-advised choice of the present incumbents who, like Thatcher, seem totally oblivious to the suffering of the majority of the populace at this critical time and act only in the interest of their supporters, the upper echelons of society and the bankers.

JOHN STRATTON, NW3