As a former Lewes district councillor, I have read the ongoing saga of the fight over control of this local council with interest.

However, I was somewhat concerned to see the change of allegiance from former leader James Page, the councillor for East Saltdean described as a “defection”.

I think those of us with long memories of Cold War days regard that word as signifying something more than crossing the floor of a democratically-elected council to join another party.

And what of Councillor Adeniji? Has he “defected” as well?

The Conservatives must, I feel, be regretting their decision to ignore the wishes of East Saltdean residents who have, in the past, lobbied for their area to be administered by Brighton and Hove City Council rather than Lewes.

Those of us who have spent time in Saltdean must have reached the conclusion that East Saltdean is, in essence, an outlying part of Brighton, and that it makes no sense to have an administrative boundary down Saltdean High Street rather than over nearby fields.

I am not one of those who are advocating for the creation of a “Greater Brighton”. While I was on Lewes District Council in around 2006, there was the prospect that LDC would be abolished and an East Sussex – or even Sussex – unitary authority would be created with certain district council powers passed down to parish councils. That is why it was vital that Seaford should have a parish council to assume those responsibilities.

However due to a change in policy of the then-Labour government, such measures were shelved after a number of authorities were created around the country.

Now I understand that there is a demand in West Sussex for this idea to be resurrected. Should we be campaigning for a similar reorganisation in East Sussex?

I personally think we should. I feel three tiers of local government is one too many.

Residents in East Sussex would be happier with parish councils with greater powers, and a Sussex-wide authority for other services.

That would return us largely to the structure prior to 1974. What do other readers think of this?

Bob Brown, Ringmer Road, Seaford