Politicians and the media seem to have misjudged the national mood over the death of the Queen Mother.

Rather than there being a national outpouring of grief, most people seem to have reacted to the event with indifference.

The Argus itself has reported widespread apathy regarding the signing of books of condolence, while the BBC received thousands of complaints that it was giving too much coverage to the news.

Despite this indifference, commentators continue to try to convince us the

Queen Mother led an almost saintly life. This is far from the truth. The Queen Mother led an extraordinarily privileged life, never having to do a day's work.

The Queen Mother's death means no more or no less to the vast majority of the population than the death of any other stranger.

Perhaps when the media and politicians realise this, we can start a dialogue about a republican future for the UK.

-Jez Macdonald, Carlyle Street, Brighton