What a sad reflection on the standard of local politics that Liberal Democrat leader Councillor Paul Elgood must plead for an end to the "gutter politics" characterising the "debate" on a directly-elected mayor.

I am appalled at the negative back-biting, mud-slinging and misinformation presented to date. I have seen a patently imbalanced "debate" dominated by a Yes campaign obviously reflecting the interests of business.

Its latest leaflet, in great abundance on counters around the city, is merely trite innuendo about the promised Utopia to come, with no compelling argument as to why, how or when our city would get the better services so desperately needed.

The Yes-men's leaflet refers to Ken Livingstone in London. But have Londoners seen the capital's problems evaporate since his election? Hardly. Their traffic nightmare is worse than ever, while the Underground moves daily closer to total collapse.

All this while Ken sees fit to challenge the Government in the High Court over the public-private partnership, at enormous legal cost to Londoners.

Furthermore, the Yes leaflet carries the pathetic image of the rubbish on our streets with the caption "Someone to sort out the mess". Absolutely. But the very same politicians that awarded the contracts have singularly failed to sort it out so far.

Why should we believe a Superman mayor could do what others have failed to do?

But the final insult from the Yes-men's leaflet is the image of the New York city skyline labelled "Up with the best". After the terrible events of September 11, they should have done the decent thing and withdrawn the leaflet.

But what of the No campaign? It is conspicuous by its absence, presumably keeping its powder dry until later. We can only hope it delivers a more informed, reasoned and convincing case.

What I have seen so far bodes ill for our city. Of course, justifiable change in local government should be supported but definitely not the "cat in a bag" prospect of a maverick mayor a Yes vote will deliver us.

-Keith W D Jago, Uplands Road, Brighton