I received a copy of a pamphlet which is supposed to be in support of the No campaign for a directly-elected mayor.

It confirms all my fears that the debate would get nastier as it progressed.

It seeks to malign Lord Bassam both as regards his character and - via an offensive cartoon - accusing him of seeking power for himself. One can but guess as to its effects on his family.

It is so sad the members of the management committee of the so-called Allies Of Democracy should have given their support to such a deplorable piece of work, dragging political debate down to the level of the gutter.

Far from being Allies Of Democracy, if the content of their political polemic continues at this level, these "allies" are in danger of becoming enemies of democracy.

-R G Jenkins, Hove