The scheme to elect a city mayor was decided in 2001 by an all-party campaign which saw it rejected by a clear 2-1 rejection.

The arguments have not changed. We argued and debated the issue around the city from the chamber of commerce to Varndean School. We even talked about it on air.

Whenever a vote was taken, the mayoral proposal was turned down. That was despite of a flood of propaganda in favour of a powerful mayor which included slogans on the sides of buses.

There seemed little support for the proposal, except from one or two politicians.

We have a committee system which is far from perfect but at least is more democratic than having a mini-dictator in the town hall.

The people have spoken and we should respect the referendum result of five years ago.

-Councillor Francis Tonks, Brighton