The latest round of name-calling in the so-called debate for a directly-elected mayor makes me wonder what our residents must be thinking at the level of argument going on at the moment with scare-mongering and personal attacks dominating the debate (The Argus, September 21).

This level of gutter politics does no service to the already tarnished role of local government and, more importantly, tries the patience and goodwill of the residents of Brighton and Hove. Perhaps we can start to see why turnouts are low.

The issues in this referendum are not that of personality or of campaign funding, although that must be watched carefully. The real debate should be about how we provide the best and most effective way to govern our city and, in doing so, efficiently run its services. For us on the Liberal Democrat side, it is also about how we could go about empowering our citizens to become involved in what is, after all, their own decision-making.

With the real issues taking second place to the street-fighting, one concern prevails. Will the residents actually take the time to return their referendum ballots? In many ways, we cannot blame them if they don't. However, both sides must appeal to all with a vote to return their forms, whatever side of the debate they decide on.

For those of us in this scrap - I include myself - let us spend the closing few weeks on the real issues and ensure the city has the debate that has long been overdue.

-Coun Paul Elgood, Leader of the Liberal Democrats, Brighton and Hove