An excellent piece on the Nigel Porter Unit (The Argus, October 26) was spoiled by the statement that no campaigners interrupted the Brighton and Hove City Council debate on that issue.

While it may have been true of the social workers, the No activists stayed on in the gallery when the others walked out. They showed the same concern about breast cancer as the councillors, most of whom supported the No campaign.

At that council meeting, the mayor did not allow me to speak on the referendum result. Besides congratulating the leader on his speedy response in setting up committees, I wanted to call for maximum democratic participation. There should be public meetings, co-options on to our committees and an opening up of our institutions to the people of our city.

It should be possible to hold referendums on major issues. The vote - and it was a massive 37,000 along with the consultation - rejected not only the directly-elected mayor but also the leader and cabinet model. We now have a chance for some imaginative thinking and real innovation.

-Coun Francis Tonks, Brighton and Hove City Council