One does not have to look too far to see spin in operation in Hove - and I do not mean Mushtaq Ahmed, Sussex's excellent bowler.

The spin comes from the thin lips of Sue John, the council's deputy leader.

Every time her voice is heard on the radio, one knows it is an attempt to tell the council tax-paying residents how clever she and her council friends are.

This is bad enough, until one discovers a figure in the region of £18,000 is paid out of the council tax for the privilege.

Whether it be the new Tesco, the garish Gehry towers proposed for the King Alfred, or moving Hove Library to Hove Town Hall, everything carried out by this council seems to have very little thought behind it.

Since staying with my poor old aunt, the feeling of disappointment and sadness has become a feature for afflicted Hove residents.

Someone told me to contact Hove MP Ivor Caplin, then other people have told me Sue John works for Mr Caplin and does whatever he tells her.

Is this democracy?

-Ian Mercer-Smith, Hove