Some months ago my wife wrote to a LibDem MP asking:

     (a) if it was true that the Queen received preferential treatment regarding the taxes she paid on her private wealth and income, and if so

     (b) whether he thought that the concessions should continue and, if so

     (c) the reasons why.

My wife expressed her concern that a very rich person like the Queen might not be paying a proportionate share of the tax burden being borne by people of modest means during the present economic crisis affecting Britain. She received a standard reply which set out the LibDems’ taxation policy and did not address any of the points in her letter.

My wife  wrote back immediately, drawing attention to the MP’s failure to respond properly and pointing out that her questions raised important constitutional issues. She got no reply. She was forced to conclude that our politicians regard anything to do with the monarchy as a ‘no-go’ area.

Our politicians’ financial affairs have now been brought out into the open. Why doesn’t Parliament require the Queen’s financial affairs to be submitted to the same scrutiny?