A propos Chris Bryant’s article (How the aristocracy preserved their power, 7 September), it is worth observing how the aristocracy actually preserve their day-to-day relevance. Aristocratic society has access to private schools (7% of all students), private hospitals and health care, private banks and other private financial arrangements. Miles SeckerHeckington, Lincolnshire• Chris Bryant’s article reminds us that the key to power and wealth is land monopoly. John DigneyBuchlyvie, StirlingHow the aristocracy preserved their power Read more• Chris Bryant might have usefully talked to a trust expert before writing that discretionary trusts evade “both public scrutiny and inheritance tax”. Even though there are hundreds more lords than MPs, the House of Lords costs a fraction to run than the Commons.

Source: The Guardian September 10, 2017 17:26 UTC