There are at least four powerful reasons why we need not fear any reduction in our "democracy" with an elected mayor.

New Yorkers have an elected mayor. They don't feel they live in an undemocratic city. The whole of France has elected mayors. The French feel their society is more democratic than ours. London has an elected mayor. I have yet to hear of any outburst against the lack of democracy there.

The Government - concerned our democratic traditions should be maintained with elected mayors - has surrounded the new structure with detailed requirements to ensure this. Those who are unconvinced should read the regulations for themselves. They are on the internet.

-R G Jenkins, Hove