Dave Blackwell makes a valid point that the cabinet system in Castle Point should go (June 15).

However, an elected mayor is unlikely to be any better. There has to be a system in place that is competent, democratic and transparent. Most important of these is competent.

With cabinet systems there is confusion between what suitably qualified officers advise and what inexperienced elected councillors propose.

An elected mayor could be worse, particularly if elected on the basis of popularity rather than proven competence.

With no previous experience very few people can be expected to lead a complex, multi-million pound enterprise such as a borough council.

Another disadvantage in the elected mayoral system is mayors, with no party political support, as happened in Doncaster last year, could find themselves unable to carry out manifesto promises.

Give people power and they will take more. Vanity will drive them to make decisions outside their competence.

It is not sufficient that they can be thrown out at the next election, the damage may well already have been irreparably done.

Castle Point needs to return to a non-cabinet system, with one councillor per ward.

Brian Lee
Woodfield Road
Hadleigh