JOHN Tanner’s letter in yesterday’s Oxford Mail should come as no surprise, given his often-publicised views, but you have to admire his nerve in the current climate.

A great many people are currently experiencing financial and other hardships but I have yet to hear any of them blame their plight on the Queen’s position as head of state, or the way in which she fulfills the duties of that office.

In his letter Mr Tanner offers no reasoned financial analysis of the abolition of the monarchy, nor does he attempt to put a financial value on the benefit that having a royal family brings to this country.

His suggestion that it is all about Changing the Guard at Buckingham Palace is, frankly, crass.

The government, which Mr Tanner so slavishly supports, has a majority in parliament out of all proportion to its share of the popular vote at the last election – where it was voted for by less than half the electorate.

If Mr Tanner is really concerned about the democratic deficit, might I suggest that he starts devoting his energies to ensuring a more representative system of voting for the politicians we currently have, instead of trying to establish yet more political machinery.

A CHURCHILL STONE, High St, Culham, Abingdon