Peter Bartram's criticism of the lack of local government devolvement (Letters, December 10) seems to have forgotten the East Brighton elections under Labour's New Deal.

These had a high turnout and occurred at the same time as the mayoral referendum.

Surely it is best to see how this scheme, designed to implement massive government funding in the most deprived areas, works out before embarking on a wholesale change for the entire city at the whim of one councillor who is keen to develop his own power base.

-Trevor Hopper, Secretary, Tenantry Labour Party, Hartington Road, Brighton