Conservatives are being urged to vote against having a directly elected mayor for Brighton and Hove.
People across the city will be asked to decide on October 18 if they want to follow cities like London in electing a powerful mayor.
Brighton and Hove Council's opposition leader Brian Oxley is asking members of all three city Conservative associations to vote against the move.
He is asking them to persuade their family and friends to vote no as well.
In a letter to members, Councillor Oxley says a vote against a mayor will be a vote for a more democratic council.
He said if the city voted no, an improved committee system of local government would be introduced instead.
Coun Oxley said: "It will enable residents to see decisions being made, to hear arguments in open session and to observe their representatives in action."
He said having an elected mayor would mean more decisions being taken behind closed doors.
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