THE selection process for future entrants into the “The Royal Firm” is there for a reason, and the reason has been exposed in recent days. Meghan has been pilloried for being non-white, divorced, pawing her baby bump, or not being from a long-standing “Ivy League” family or from the long-standing “privileged classes” of these isles. Subtext: not fit for the job.

The role that these incomers hanker after, because of the emotional engagement to their chosen partner, requires them to obey the requirements of the “establishment”, which is a tricky one. Women – and it is predominantly women – who want to or are encouraged to join this band of elite misfits are required to turn a blind eye to their partners’ philandering, keep a “stiff upper lip”, dress appropriately, keep in good physical shape with noble countenance and perform the opening of the latest voluntary organisation without making a pig’s ear of it.

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Oh, and I missed out the bearing of several chilblains required to populate the independent schools sector, who will act as the attractors for this or that private school, just like product placements or the work that “influencers” perform for us plebeians, aka the little people.

Not to conform to these expected norms results in verbal and media attack, guided and orchestrated by the “soft” power of “The Firm” within media circles.

So when Lady Susan Hussey the octogenarian former lady-in-waiting to the late Queen, pressed Ngozi Fulani to answer her question regarding her heritage, and refused to accept Hackney, it is an insight into the elitism that sits at the poisoned heart of the UK.

How can anyone with such fixed and ancient opinion remain in a job, let alone a public-facing role.

Journalist Petronella Wyatt, having known Lady Susan from the age of 18, declares in her opinion piece in the Mail Online that she is neither a bad person nor a racist. She may wish to tell that directly to Ngozi.

READ MORE: Watch Netflix's first trailer for Harry and Meghan's docuseries

Sarah Vine, the Daily Mail columnist, has also attacked Harry and Meghan in recent days in her Daily Mail column, indicating that brotherly love has been lost.

It shows that the behind-the-scenes briefings to the press against Meghan and Harry and their lack of stoicism, as defined by Zeno of Citium, whose definition continues to describe that the “wise live in harmony with divine reason”. The attacks are driven from the fear of the collapse of the House of Windsor. So The Firm are getting their retaliation in early ahead of Netflix.

It seems that the ruling classes still believe that their right to rule is divinely given, and no jumped-up divorcee from yankee land is going to tell them they are elite racists.

Alistair Ballantyne
Birkhill, Angus

LET us look at some things that may have impacted on the NHS over the decades. When the Labour Party under Clement Attlee and Aneurin Bevan breathed life into the NHS, free at the point of need, open 24/7, what were the drug and alcohol addiction figures? And how were they treated? What were the figures for mental health issues? And how were they treated? Was Post Traumatic Stress Disorder recognised?

What was people’s life expectancy? How were the elderly cared for? Was there bed-blocking? How were these issues dealt with?

How many needed hip, knee or heart surgery? What was the population of the country? There was no Aids, or Covid pandemic.

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As innovation and technology improved, so did our demands, expectations and requirements. A question to be asked is, if the Labour Party, Attlee and Bevan had the foresight to see the modern demands made on the NHS, would they have implemented this model? Or done something different?

As Douglas Ross struts his hatred and contempt for the SNP, along with Anas Sarwar, talking about sacking Humza Yousaf, they never suggest who could be more successful as a replacement in the present crisis. Readers, please remember it is easier to oppose than govern.

We never hear Douglas Ross, with his Westminster Tory MP’s hat on, shouting for Health Secretary Steven Barclay to resign over the English NHS shambles. Not only does Douglas Ross have two faces, but he also has two hats.

Nor do we hear Anas Sarwar shouting or reporting back to head office in London about how poorly Eluned Morgan, Labour’s Welsh Health Secretary, is performing down in the valleys.

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Ross and Sarwar are only at home blaming Nicola Sturgeon for the faults over the decades that have really emanated from their Westminster base, but not only in the NHS.

The NHS throughout Britain is one mighty shambles. In Scotland we appear to have succeeded in having the best shambles, but that is nothing to be proud of.

The Covid pandemic has certainly played its part in the downfall of the NHS, which is really needing open heart surgery, which will cost money, time and in the end possibly expense for users.

What has to be remembered is that no-one becomes unwell or gets worn joints intentionally, but the long tentacles of the NHS now play a part in every family’s life.

At present we appear to be just throwing money at the NHS, where standing back and reflecting, assessing and reviewing may lead to a better service and model, hopefully still free of charge.

Robert McCaw
Renfrew