When New York had its darkest hour a week ago, to whom did the people turn to lead them out of the chaos?

It wasn't President George Bush, entombed on security advice in a bunker. It wasn't a senator or congressman.

They went instinctively to Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, the man who, in the past eight years, has transformed New York from a crime-ridden, dangerous city into one of the wonders of the modern world.

Two planes flying into the World Trade Centre on a suicide mission have killed thousands of people, destroyed a symbol of New York and created an enormous crisis.

But, as The Argus shows today, Mayor Giuliani has been a commander as well as a comforter.

He has been there to help the anguished and he has led the huge recovery operation.

The Mayor was already a national figure long before the atrocities of last week. But he has enhanced the reputation of New York through his brave leadership.

Are there any lessons for Brighton and Hove, or other cities about to ask the people on whether they, too, should have an elected mayor?

Mayor Giuliani has shown how a dynamic local leader can galvanise a city into action while still being subject to checks and balances.

Would it be possible to do the same in a city run by committees? Somehow we doubt it.