I most certainly agree with Lord Bassam. Huh? That is, he has said he enjoys that astute portrayal of contemporary society, The Simpsons. It is certainly finer than many recent American novels.

A pot-smoker and former illiterate, he tells the police chief: "If Marge Simpson goes to jail, I can kiss the chick vote goodbye. And if I go down, you're gonna break my fall."

His chat-up line is "How would you like a street named after you?" and his motto is: "Corruptus in extremis." And, in one famous moment, he is glimpsed through a motel bedroom window with a lady, which prompts the police chief to inform Bart that the "the mayor is polling the electorate".

He is even the victim of a monorail salesman. And he duly announced: "I propose I use what's left of the town treasury to move to a more prosperous town and run for mayor."

Does Brighton and Hove really need such a character? The closest our ballot form offers to "Doh" is "No". Springfield is not so lucky.

-Christopher Hawtree, Westbourne Gardens, Hove