THE mayor of Durham City is a matter above politics and should be chosen for Durham citizens alone.

A county councillor living in Evenwood could never morally become mayor of Durham City.

Our mayor for 2012-13 was “sacked” by Durham County Council a month before he should be handing over to his deputy. It has already been decided that he will be ousted at the mayor making ceremony on Tuesday, June 11, in favour of a Labour county councillor.

I have lived in the city for nearly 60 years. I held a senior county council post, later becoming a member of both county and city councils, and do not support any particular political party.

Alderman Mary R Hawgood, Mayor of Durham 2004-05