Royally remote
Sir: Perhaps Charles Moore’s concerns that the university education of Prince William and his future queen (The Spectator’s Notes, 20 November) could undermine national morale are unfounded. Reflection on my time as a St Andrews undergraduate 30 years ago has jogged memories of a surreal existence in a beautiful, remote seaside town, full of history, golf shops and bizarre traditions. Combined with the more normal student activities of non-stop partying and occasional bursts of frantic study, I would say that St Andrews University encapsulated a way of life very removed from the real world. Prince William and Kate Middleton’s time at St Andrews should prove to be the ideal preparation for their royal duties.
Peter Cutts
Kent
Sir: While I agree with the body of your leading article about the royal wedding (‘A sacred bond’, 20 November), the beginning and the end degenerated into gushing flannel. No doubt Prince William and Miss Middleton make a handsome couple, but there is no need for sentimentality.
Peter de Bruyne
By email
Irish eyes were blinded
Sir: Kevin Myers failed to mention the major cause of Ireland’s economic troubles (‘Going south’, 20 November). Our multi-seat system of proportional representation throws up representatives who are good at constituency work but who have no interest in advancing the national interest. It allows tiny minority parties undue influence, and parish-pump concerns tend to predominate. This was well illustrated during the 11-year reign of Bertie Ahern as taoiseach. Buying off sectional interests became key. Far-sighted decision-making was sacrificed on the altar of populist polices. Public service unions were rewarded with low taxes and uncompetitive pay increases. A blind eye was turned to the unregulated banks, which created a huge property boom ending in financial disaster. Result: EU and IMF management of our affairs.
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