The No campaign in the mayoral debate is hard-selling the idea that voting No means you are voting to "save democracy".

The argument goes that an elected mayor is the end of democracy as we know it. Baloney.

We know from years of experience that, under the committee system, decisions are made behind closed doors in pre-meetings.

Meanwhile, the leader of the council is elected once a year by a handful of councillors from the majority group, also behind closed (canteen) doors.

Contrast this with the mayoral model, when all Brighton and Hove voters will have a direct say through the ballot box in who leads the city.

In addition, they will continue to elect councillors to represent their community.

Far from eroding local democracy, voting Yes for an elected mayor will help renew it.

-Coun Simon Battle, Vallance ward