I really did chuckle at Simon Battle's transparently obvious (and clumsy) opening pre-election salvo (Opinion, December 21).

Fact is, the political alignment of Russell Hicks will not be election issue.

Come the elections the citification of a fabulous bo-ho beast and its secure, steadying neighbour (forcibly-annexed Hove), along with all the vile changes to date and on the cards, will be issues for all politicians to face up to as those seeking to retrieve autonomy.

-Valerie Paynter, BASH Against City Status