DO areas like Worcestershire really need an elected mayor? That’s a question council tax payers are being asked as councils put together their responses to the Government’s Communities in Control White Paper.

The White Paper, launched in the summer by Hazel Blears, makes a substantial number of recommendations about the future of local government. Among them is the Government’s desire to see more elected mayors running our towns and cities.

We accept that such a set-up can be successful in major metropolitan areas that need a big-hitter on the political stage. Boris Johnson and his predecessor as mayor of London, Ken Livingstone, are prime examples.

But we fear elected mayors in smaller places are a step too far and risk turning local politics into a personality cult.

The people of Stoke yesterday decided they no longer want an elected mayor and they will revert to a council leader/cabinet system as used by most local authorities.

Our view is that, while such a system is far from perfect, it is preferable to the elected mayor scenario.

Indeed, we would wish to see power devolved beyond the cabinet system to ensure more so-called backbench councillors play a full and influential role in the decisionmaking process.

Local politics is better suited to mayors playing a ceremonial role.

The Government needs to understand that what works in London is far from suitable for the rest of us.