Meanwhile, Brian Henderson (Herald Letters, January 1) considers our current monarchy “probably the envy of the free world”.

Really? Evidence? I doubt it.

To clarify, my letter was not an attack on the monarchy per se, but the iniquity of the system which puts these people where they are.

I would have no issue with ‘Charlie’ being called King if he had been democratically elected, appointed or promoted to the position by the electorate or even the Government.

But he was not. He became King by birthright.

Even if he were an utter idiot or a vicious thug, and I readily accept he is neither, as eldest son of the late Queen, he would still be King.

The whole system of succession, titles, status and massive wealth as a birthright is rotten, corrupt and immoral.

That an entire extended family and hangers-on should benefit massively from it is just plain wrong.

That is what my letter addressed.

Neither Mr Lakin nor Mr Henderson comment on that.

There may well be benefits accruing to and within the UK from the current system. But that does not make it right.

There is no evidence that a democratically elected or appointed Head of State, whether called a President, a King or Queen, a Chairperson or whatever, could not generate the same benefits to the UK, or charities therein.

The current system of monarchy is anything but a unifying symbol and most certainly does not hold the nation together.

Although thousands of people do turn out to wave at the royals, many more thousands do not.

The monarchy is one of the most frequent topics of divisive argument.

Even Mr Henderson comments that this current correspondence is “the anti-monarchy lobby to the fore again”.

This is because hereditary succession and all that goes with it is the ultimate in unearned and undeserved privilege, which is quite simply, corruption.

Mr Henderson thinks we could do a lot worse. Yes, we could. But we could also do a whole lot better.

Abolition of hereditary succession cannot come soon enough.

I need say no more.

If someone can set down a reasoned argument why hereditary succession is not undemocratic, not corrupt, not morally wrong and not unacceptable in a modern democratic society, I will happily give it careful consideration. I don’t expect to be troubled.

Clen Mackenzie, Waringstown, Northern Ireland.

More letters…

King Charles should dip into his fortune to help Britain’s poorest

C of E deal is a threat to Scottish Episcopal Church

Trade war shows the folly of leaving the biggest trading group in the world

Woman of principle

I read with interest your article regarding disability rights campaigner Tressa Burke rejecting an MBE, citing the intolerable state of affairs for disabled people in the UK (“Campaigner rejects MBE over treatment of disabled people”, The Herald, January 2).

In the current climate many are beginning to question the validity of such honours being conferred mainly upon ‘celebrities’.

So it was refreshing to read of an ordinary individual who, despite being more than deserving in respect of the work she has done and continues to do in relation to the disabled, is prepared to refuse such an honour.

Her reason being, the rights of those she represents are more important to her.

A lady of true principle.

John G McMenemy, Milngavie.

Traffic trauma

It’s not surprising that Aberdeen City Council is making a fortune out of fines from motorists trying to navigate the city centre, now awash with signs for one way systems, bus lanes and Low Emission Zones (LEZ ), which are almost impossible to read and understand while trying to progress in traffic.

To avoid heavy fines and penalties, many motorists have given up shopping in Aberdeen, preferring Inverurie, Stonehaven or Banchory for easy motoring and a warm welcome for their business.

They will not be inclined to return to Aberdeen in the future.

Traders have suffered badly over the years of planned disruption; those who survived may never achieve their previous sales potential and turnover.

Dennis Forbes Grattan, Bucksburn, Aberdeen.

“Our” BBC… really?

I agree with Alison Rowat’s comments regarding the rather dire Hogmanay programme, brimming with false jollity, which the BBC dished up to a long suffering public, and which had this viewer reaching for the remote (“This last series has been a return to the early glory days”, The Herald, January 2).

The BBC may not inflict upon us adverts for fabric softener, tea, deodorants and, worst of all, our upcoming funerals.

But they certainly do indulge themselves with self-advertising, whether by their journalists assuring us how dedicated they are to bringing the news to us, or repeated trailing of some of their programmes.

I don’t know how many times they pushed the trailer for Two Doors Down over recent weeks, which might explain why it seemed a bit underwhelming when we finally got to see the whole thing.

Still, it’s our BBC, as we are constantly assured.

And there’s no political bias, unless you include the notorious Question Time, and Reporting Scotland, which all too often doesn’t properly report Scotland at all; just the bits the BBC wants reported to Scotland.

Ruth Marr, Stirling.

Soulless Centre

In 1977, I photographed the grand, elegant St Enoch Hotel and station, demolished in an act of architectural vandalism, remarkable, even by Glasgow standards.

I’d love to stand with Marissa MacWhirter and watch the first bulldozer move in, or see the first explosion, as the monstrosity that is the St Enoch Centre is torn down (“A liminal space, cursed to be confused for the foreseeable future – it needs to be knocked down”, The Herald, January 2).

Sadly, I doubt I’ll ever see this, nor, I suspect will Ms MacWhirter.

Stuart Neville, Clydebank.

The Argyle Street Ash – a towering local landmark. (Image: Contributed: David Treanor)

Tree-mendous landmark

Saturday’s article on the Argyle Street Ash recalled happy memories from 1964/65, when I and three other students rented the top flat of the close immediately west of the tree (“’Argyle Street Ash’ became a social media star – and is now aiming for a European crown”, The Herald, January 3).

It was a useful landmark when returning late from the pub, and wonderful to know it’s still going strong.

Professor Ian Griffiths, Tigh a Mhonaidh, Reraig, Balmacara.