One might be forgiven for thinking Tony Mernagh, director of the Brighton and Hove Economic Partnership, was an elected politician from the tone of his arguments against those who would conserve Toad's Hole Valley as a green space for future generations.
Whatever the arguments for and against preserving the valley, Mr Mernagh, as an unelected officer, should work within the policy limits set by elected politicians.
If he wishes to engage directly in the political arena, he should stand for election.
Perhaps this is the problem with so many unelected and seemingly unaccountable "partnerships" in the city - there are now nearly 80.
There is a worrying tendency to forget that policy is decided by elected representatives through the ballot box.
-Coun Simon Williams (Green), St Peters and North Laine Ward, Brighton and Hove City Council
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