IT’S interesting to see Southampton Council conducting a consultation exercise on whether the city should have a directly elected mayor, fewer councillors and all-out elections.

I anticipate the answers will be “no, yes and yes”.

However, it remains to be seen whether the wishes of the majority will prevail.

I understand holding all-out elections once every four years will save over £200,000.

Surely this is a no-brainer?

We have been doing this in the New Forest for decades.

I tried reducing the number of councillors in the New Forest from the present 60 to 42, but the ruling Conservatives are having none of it.

It’s a bit like asking turkeys to vote for Christmas.

Good luck to the citizens of Southampton!

COUNCILLOR DAVID HARRISON, New Forest Liberal Democrats.