IT was disappointing to see the less than 25 per cent turnout of the electorate in the mayoral referendum in Darlington. However, the result could not be interpreted as an overwhelming victory for those 58 per cent who are opposed to an elected mayor.

I welcome the news that all 16 independent councillors on Stockton council who represent wards in Billingham, Ingelby Barwick and Thornaby will be campaigning for an elected mayor in the borough. Having been a Stockton councillor, I witnessed at first hand how the appointment of the mayor for the following year was decided by negotiation between the groups of the main parties after the May 2005 Stockton council elections when no party had an overall majority. It was used as a bargaining chip and a political football by the group leaders.

Allowing the public to vote and elect a mayor would be an extension of democracy and for all its imperfections, it is superior to the current method of leaving it in the hands of a few councillors to decide who will be mayor by a method of favouritism and cronyism.

Keith Dewison, Billingham.