I have been trying to understand why No 10 North would be situated in Manchester (Report, 2 July). On the mainland of Britain, Manchester is situated 38% of the way from the south to the north coast. Including the Isles of Scilly and Shetland, it is situated 35.5% of the way from the southernmost point to the northernmost. Perhaps it is now implicitly accepted by government in Westminster that Scotland should be a separate state for government?
Janet Davies
Abergavenny, Monmouthshire

If Andy Burnham is chosen, it will be the first thing an Evertonian has won since the 1995 FA Cup.
David Feintuck
Lewes, East Sussex

Re memory tests concerning the reigning monarch (Letters, 1 July), some 20 years ago I accompanied my elderly aunt in a medical assessment ward and could not help overhearing a doctor quizzing a neighbouring patient on the name of the queen. Her indignant reply: “I don’t move in those circles!”
Ruth Pickles
Congleton, Cheshire

Dave Wieberg (Letters, 30 June) might be aware of the quote attributed to Blaise Pascal: “The more I see of mankind, the more I prefer my dog.”
Jeanette Hamilton
Buxton, Derbyshire

Can you imagine a nation where everyone sits “glued to the television to witness the finest piano playing” (Stephen Hough to lead relaunched Leeds piano competition, 2 July)? This nation? In your dreams, Mr Hough.
Mike Fuller
Ampthill, Bedfordshire