Contrary to Henry Lawson’s view (Journal postbag, July 23), in fact the Queen “reigns but she does not rule” by being above politics as our head of state. She may only use her power with the consent of the elected House of Commons, which through the democratic process is very much the people’s Parliament described by Robert Key MP.

The Magna Carta (displayed in Salisbury Cathedral) and the English Civil War defeat of the Royalists and execution of King Charles I in 1649 set people free to decide that the United Kingdom should be governed by the rule of law within the supremacy of Parliament.

Today, most people understand that the governance of our country would not necessarily improve if our constitutional monarchy were replaced by a politically elected president of what could become the “United Republic of Great Britain and Northern Ireland”.

Many of the world’s most stable governments are also constitutional monarchies, an outstanding example being Spain, which restored the monarchy in 1975 following the death of the fascist dictator General Franco.
Edward Schruers, Bishopstone

  • Like Henry Lawson, I am also very interested in Robert Key’s articles. However, I beg to remind Mr. Lawson that our Queen is also our ‘head of state’, and it is in this capacity that allegiances and oaths are taken.

If (heaven forefend) this country once again became a republic, the president of that republic would take the same oaths and allegiances. Our Queen has no political powers, but is advised and kept aware of political events as our head of state. When a parliament is dissolved, the decision to do so is taken by the prime minister of the day and the sitting cabinet, after due process in the Houses of Parliament.

The last monarchs to dissolve parliament, Charles I and James II soon discovered the error of their ways and were dealt with by the people. To say that there are many royalists in Britain is quite an understatement. To say ‘about’ 25 per cent are republicans seems quite an exaggeration.
Peter Denton, Salisbury

  • It is very good of Mr. Key to tell us how laws are made by parliament, but I am under the impression that most of our laws, rules and regulations are made in Brussels & are not voted on by our parliament.

If this is not the case perhaps he would enlighten us and in his next article tell us how all these edicts from Brussels become law in this country?
Edward Waddington, Salisbury