The Diamond Jubilee, intervening in Syria and the doctors' strike H J Bentley, Beverley, East Yorkshire SIR - Is it too late to re-commission the Royal Yacht Britannia for the Queen to enjoy for the rest of her reign? Bad decision in 1997. Watching the pageant on the Thames, I was convinced that this country should give her back the happiness she enjoyed on that vessel. Then there are the corporate rewards that Britannia and the Queen gained for this country. We need it and her more than ever. Anthony Gavan, Atherstone, Warwickshire SIR - Many of the self-employed (like my wife and me) must be staggered at civil servants receiving 30 days" paid holiday plus bank holidays, and now an extra "privilege" day for the Jubilee. For most self-employed, bank holidays are an enforced day without pay, as the nation effectively shuts up shop. I wish the Queen well, but these holidays actually cost us. Michael Powell, Tealby, Lincolnshire SIR - Surely the time has now come when we can dispense with referring to our present monarch as Elizabeth II in favour of Elizabeth the Great? Ian Savage, Reading, Berkshire Striking doctors SIR - I am saddened by the decision of the British Medical Association to endorse industrial action by its members (report, Issue 1,089). I believe our profession is uniquely respected, not least because we are there when people are at their most vulnerable. Doctors could perhaps consider refusing to participate in non-clinical commitments, such as teaching or meetings, on June 21. To cancel a clinic in which patients may be anxiously depending on cancer screening is, to say the least, temerarious. The public's perception of us as a revered profession will be severely tested, particularly when austerity is threatening the jobs of many, let alone their pensions. Dr Lorcan Sheppard, Leeds, West Yorkshire SIR - The British Medical Association is striking for the wrong reason. Most health care workers, including doctors, are fed up with the Government's total lack of negotiation with us over the new National Health Service Bill. Of course we all recognise that changes need to occur, but for ministers to steamroller through a new Bill, which will effectively end the NHS as we know it, is unacceptable. Most of us are not striking because of the pensions, but to try to get the Government to sit up and listen to us. Dr Rob Malcolm, Hythe, Kent SIR - During a strike by doctors, who is to distinguish between urgent and non-urgent cases? I suspect, in some instances, the receptionist could be assigned the task. What of the patient with "indigestion" who is suffering from a coronary thrombosis, or the man with backache who has a life-threatening aneurysm? The idea that "this can wait for another day when the strike is over" should be kicked into touch, whether the strike is justified or not. Dr John Scotson, Altrincham, Cheshire Lady Wallace's wishes SIR - Regarding Richard Dorment's article on the sword exhibition at the Wallace Collection (Culture, Issue 1,087), according to my general guide to the Wallace Collection, the widowed Lady Wallace made a bequest of the collection on condition that it "shall be kept together, unmixed with other objects of art..." What happened to change this? Suzette Grist, Bathurst, South Africa PM lacks purpose SIR - I was very surprised by Matthew d'Ancona's assertion that David Cameron's position as Prime Minister and party leader is "absolutely secure" (Comment, Issue 1,088). A Prime Minister with no real sense of purpose and a lack of personal judgment is anything but secure; indeed the only thing that might save him is the fact that, no matter what his defects are, his opponents" deficiencies comfortably exceed his. David Jones, Tring, Hertfordshire SIR - In the beginning of David Cameron's premiership he was hot off the blocks. He and George Osborne, the Chancellor, seemed indefatigable. At the mid-way point, despite their best efforts, they have become distracted by the politics and panicked by the polls. If the Tories want to be re-elected they should get their heads down to work on all the knotty problems of government. It is sheer folly to allow their energies to be absorbed by the usual agonies of plotting and spin. There is work to be done and they should sit behind their desks and do it. If they are seen to be doing this and wasting less time scoring points off their opponents, the change they promised will not be an empty word, and their efforts will be rewarded by the electorate. Julia Doherty, Uckfield, East Sussex The pen is mightier SIR - After reading the article about the comeback of the fountain pen (report, Issue 1,088), I rushed to use mine. As I held the pen lightly in my hand, the words glided effortlessly over the page and looked wonderful. I wondered why I ever stopped using my beautiful blue Parker and resolved to do so as often as possible. Anna Senning, Johannesburg, South Africa Bridging divides SIR - The Scottish culture minister claims that the Forth Bridge is a "Scottish icon" (report, Issue 1,089). An icon it is, and situated in Scotland, but it was designed by an Englishman and built using capital from English railway companies. The operating company, the North British Railway, was responsible for about 10 per cent of the cost; it was a Scottish organisation, but had neither the funds nor the know-how to build the bridge. It was built using Scottish and Welsh steel by a Glasgow-based company, using a vast number of workers, many from Ireland. If anything demonstrates the power of a united Britain it is the Forth Bridge. David Pearson, Haworth, West Yorkshire Slaughter in Syria SIR - With Syria sinking into ever greater barbarity (report, Issue 1,089), the UN's answer is to urge foreign states not to supply arms to either side, meaning the slaughter will accelerate, given the Syrian forces" firepower. President Assad is oblivious to world opinion. Russia is prepared to hamstring the UN, giving Assad time. Surely the point has been reached when condemnation is not enough. If Western powers do not have the stomach to become involved, then the request not to supply arms needs to be withdrawn. Saudi Arabia and Qatar should be supported in their efforts to defend their fellow Sunnis. Only when Assad is suffering major losses will there be any progress. The Alawite and Sunni communities cannot live together; dividing Syria may be the only long-term alternative. B J Colby, Portishead, Somerset