Correspondents criticising the proposal to change to a directly-elected mayor cannot be regular readers of The Argus Letters page, with its frequent criticisms of the way Brighton and Hove City Council is run and its services delivered.

They will take us back to a time when decisions were passed from one committee to another and bureaucracy ruled. They believe in putting money into meetings and agendas instead of front-line services. They believe in electing leaders behind closed doors instead of allowing everyone a say.

Critics of the mayoral system have said nothing about how more committees will actually improve services.

We believe a directly-elected mayor will have the power to deliver quality services within a policy and budget determined by full council comprising all councillors and will be the best system for our future.

-Roger French, Chairman, Yes For City Mayor, Brighton and Hove