Let’s be ruled by lot, but not any old lot

Michael Bulley says he would prefer only people who can read Latin and whistle Beethoven’s piano sonatas to run the country. Photograph: Catherine Falls Commercial/Getty Images

I am in favour, in principle, of George Monbiot’s proposal that governments should be chosen by lot (General elections are a travesty of democracy – let’s give the people a real voice, 7 June). Even so, to be on the safe side, I would suggest the random choice should be made from a limited class of people. My preference would be those who can read Latin and whistle most of the themes of Beethoven’s piano sonatas.
Michael Bulley
Chalon-sur-Saône, France

• I am reminded of Paul Foot when I read about Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer trying to establish their “normal people” credentials (Marina Hyde, 12 June). Whenever someone brought up his privileged background when he spoke at a Socialist Worker meeting, he would say: “I’m proud to be a class traitor.”
Simon Maddison
Hitchin, Hertfordshire