Roger French made an intriguing comment (August 25): "The alternative is a flawed Victorian committee system with a city leader currently elected by 46 members of the Labour group."

How come Conservative councillor Jenny Langston became an excellent traditional elected civic mayor of Labour-controlled Brighton and Hove Unitary Authority?

The council explanation plus business campaign funding of the new proposed executive type mayor referendum seems similar to the Common Market business-sponsored referendum with a yes vote a foregone conclusion.

So fewer are encouraged to vote, while more demonstrate as individual democracy decreases in today's corporate global village. Where are the Victorians?

John Stanaway, Lorna Road, Hove

The answer

The only answer any sensible council tax paying voter can give to the bald question "Are you in favour of the proposal for Brighton and Hove City Council to be run in a new way, which includes a mayor who will be elected by the voters of the city, to be in charge of the council's services and to lead Brighton and Hove City Council and the community which it serves" is: "Certainly not, unless and until full details of job description and precise total emoluments relevant to the post are advertised, together with an explanation as to how this activity will fit alongside that of the £120,000-a-year full-time chief executive."

-Denis Christian, Chichester Place, Brighton