Liberal Democrat Chris Maines is right to be standing on a platform intending to abolish the elected mayor. Lewisham is one of only three London boroughs (and only 12 nationally) to have this system which is an expensive flop.

Getting rid of the directly elected mayoral system will not solve the problems of democracy in Lewisham, however, for we share those with the rest of the country.

Lewisham has been guilty of the arrogant abuse of authority in recent years and these years have coincided with the move towards (and then adoption) of the directly elected mayoral system.

But this is not to say Mayor Bullock has been responsible for the dishonesty and underhand behaviour we have seen in Lewisham.

It just looks that way because he came in at the same time as the cabinet system was imposed on local government nationally, replacing the system of open government by committees which had served this country well since the 19th Century.

In the cabinet system, a small group of well-paid councillors make the decisions, while the rest of the elected representatives are reduced to a rump with no influence, just called in to bolster the ruling party when it needs public ratification.

If Chris Maines wants so do something really useful, he should stand on the platform of abolishing the directly elected mayor, and re- introduce local government by committee in Lewisham.

It should be open to the public and all councillors should have an equal vote.

Jad Adams
London Road
Forest Hill