Like Roger French (August 25), I hope this October's referendum will bring real debate about running our city more democratically.

But that means being honest about what's at stake.

Why is it so serious that the New Local Government Network (NLGN) gave £2,000 to Mr French's elected mayor campaign?

Not just because the NLGN, dedicated to pushing the elected city boss idea, was co-founded by Lord Steve Bassam, who is now a contender for that very job in Brighton and Hove.

The key point is NLGN coffers are filled mostly by big private companies.

One NLGN sponsor, for example, is Capita, UK-wide privatiser of local services. Remember Capita? In 1999, Brighton and Hove Council under Lord Bassam's leadership almost signed Capita up to privatise our local revenue and benefits services (until its lousy track record was rumbled by staff and The Argus).

Six months later, Capita went along to put the NLGN line to a House of Lords Committee, which backed the elected mayor idea, Capita declared, because having a strong leader who can personally "commit the council" made it easier for firms such as Capita to "develop partnerships" - in other words, easier to win new business, privatising local services.

This is big business: £5 billion a year and rising. No wonder big players such as Capita want to see elected local bosses who can swiftly deliver an even larger slice of the action.

But please, Mr French, let's not kid ourselves this is about democracy.

-Richard Stanton, Guildford Street, Brighton