I, too, am delighted Steve Bassam is showing interest in a directly-elected city mayor.

However, his letter is delightfully coy when it comes to stating his own involvement.

Peeping bashfully round the velvet curtains, Lord Bassam cannot quite utter the fateful words, "and I'm going to stand for mayor".

Might we see through the sheer contrived nature of his lordship's championing of a new civic role? A role he just might see as his destiny after running the unitary authority.

A role which might, just might, give him a new job. All this at a time when - oh, dear - he's no longer a Home Office minister. Or is it just a remarkable coincidence?

Before the inevitable jockeying for position starts, potential candidates should come clean about where they stand. Will they stand or won't they?

Otherwise, how are we to judge them - as neutral lobbyists, with the civic good uppermost in their hearts?

The rogues gallery of potential candidates last year did little to inspire, even if a civic mayor is a good idea, which I doubt. I agree with Councillor Francis Tonks. We should beware the mayor.

But let's not be accused, once again, of negativity. So may I ask you for a positive statement, Lord Bassam? Are you going to stand as elected mayor and is that your real agenda in supporting a "yes" vote?

-Peter Poole, Hove