RE Hugh Pender's letter about George Bush (HAS, May 14). While not an expert on the American Constitution, the position as I recall is that the Executive (ie Cabinet) is separate from the legislature unlike here, where the Cabinet is part of the House of Commons.

The US President is elected, is Head of State and sets before the Senate and House of Representatives his/her proposals to be ratified or rejected.

Where the President rejects a proposal from the two Houses they can, I understand, refuse funding.

If Mr Pender wants to talk of dictators his comments would be more appropriately addressed to this country where the Head of State is unelected and his/her entitlement to hold that office is dependent on the order in which heirs are born.

The Queen/King is, like the US President, entitled to refuse consent to any legislation passed by Parliament. The Queen/King also has power to appoint/dismiss the Prime Minister and is not bound to appoint the winner of an election.

Finally, whether or not the people of Britain are entitled to vote on the continuation of the monarchy, after the present Queen dies, for example, is not one generally allowed to be debated in the media.

John W Antill, Darlington.