Yes campaign answers back

11:55am Monday 1st October 2001

The Lewisham Says Yes campaign feels obliged to correct a few inaccuracies in your article, Campaigners Say Big NO To Super-Mayor (News Shopper, September 12), and the statements made by various members of the No campaign in it.

Of course, we welcome the opportunity to debate the issues with the No campaign and feel fortunate the News Shopper has raised awareness of the issues.

However, it is worth pointing out that directly-elected mayors offer the best chance to make local democracy more relevant and focused towards delivering on the needs of local people.

Privatisation does not naturally follow from electing our mayor the electorate will get the mayor they choose and will be entirely at liberty to elect either a pro or anti privatisation candidate.

A directly-elected mayor allows for choice and transparency in leadership and give us a person to champion both local democracy and the interest of our communities.

Rather than rely on the raised hands of factions within political parties, directly-elected mayors open the choice of who leads your council to all on the electoral roll.

Andrew Tucker

'Lewisham Says Yes'

Armoury Road

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