Polly Toynbee (Comment, 17 May) presents a false choice between benign centralism and fractious localism. Many countries manage to operate governmental systems with significant local autonomy and effective financial equalisation mechanisms. This must be part of any renewed centre-left agenda in England. Taken to its logical conclusion, Toynbee's argument is a call for the abolition of local government, presumably in favour of a paternalistic Fabianism run from Whitehall that has served us so well?
John Tomaney
Gateshead
• We love not being able to get a mobile signal here in rural Gloucestershire (In praise of… a mobile signal for everyone), 19 May). It provides tranquillity and endless material for jokes in local dramatic productions. It also allows us to send visitors who have outstayed their welcome to distant spots in the woods in search of "an absolutely reliable" signal.
Dick and Lisa Robinson
Blockley, Gloucestershire
• The new Springwatch location of Ynyshir may seem "remote" to a London-based reporter ('We send each other rude texts', G2, 18 May), but for some of us it is just down the road. As to the team having to abandon the "home comforts" of Norfolk, how many other Springwatch locations included a Michelin-starred hotel?
Mick Green
Talybont, Ceredigion
• So Don Gorske has consumed 25,000 Big Macs, representing 725kg of fat, "the equivalent weight in grease of a large polar bear" (Report, 19 May). Can I ask when the polar bear became a recognised measure for a quantity of fat?
Andy Dixon
Northampton
• Your leader (20 May) states that Southern Cross made a curious business decision by selling and leasing back its properties. There was nothing curious about it, only short-term greed, as the proceeds were paid out in huge dividends.
Alistair Gregory
Burton in Lonsdale, Lancashire
• Will the police resort to kettling if the behaviour of these "Tea Party-style" protesters gets out of hand at future demonstrations (Report, 14 May)?
John Kennan
Liverpool