I READ the Oxford Mail edition of November 19 and saw that president-in-waiting, John Tanner, is at it again.

He can never resist any chance to express his view of abolition of the monarchy, this time using the forthcoming wedding of Kate and Wills as an excuse.

He says: “It is typical of the coalition Government to spend money on a fairytale wedding when the country is in crisis.”

Doesn’t he realise that the Labour party which he supports would spend money on the same if they were in power? Cheap jibe, really, John.

I agree that the families are rich enough to pay for the wedding themselves, thus not putting the bill to the taxpayer.

However, the revenue from all the souvenirs, the tourists who will travel thousands of miles to glimpse the happy couple and revel in the wonderful atmosphere of the occasion will more than balance the cost, as does our monarchy who generate more revenue than they cost the taxpayer.

Many of our traditions have been eroded over the past few decades by the PC brigade in order to cowtow to other faiths. Let’s keep some – including our monarchy.

An elected president would not be less cost effective because of all its entourage and security would cost the same or more.

Look at the US: presidents get shot at or even assassinated over there.

MICHAEL CLARKE, Lewell Avenue, Old Marston, Oxford