The appointment of Mark Carney as Governor of the Bank of England raises a number of matters ("New governor: Economic challenges greatest in UK", The Herald, November 27).

The Bank of England is a very powerful institution and it exists largely outside the realm of democratic accountability. I have no objection in principle to somebody from outside Britain being appointed but this appointment does indicate the level of power the global banking system has over domestic affairs when it can provide individuals to oversee important matters of domestic policy. In many ways the appointment is an improvement over the traditional system of the outgoing governor effectively providing an heir apparent, at least this indicates there has been a slight increase in Treasury control.

Nevertheless I remain of the opinion that an independent central bank wielding considerable power with little democratic control is folly and the world of finance in general is too powerful. There is a strong case for change.

Iain Paterson,

2F Killermont View,

Glasgow.