I hope voters in Brighton and Hove will think carefully before voting in the forthcoming referendum on the future shape of local government in the city.

The idea of an elected mayor appears to be good but the proposal is also for the mayor to govern the city through a small cabinet of possibly only two other people, chosen by him or herself.

The rest of the elected councillors would only be able to scrutinise decisions of the cabinet.

This is hardly democracy. Surely the entire elected council should be involved in the decision-making process?

A No vote is therefore called for.

-F B Ellis, Hangleton Road, Hove