PROTESTERS claim the borough will be run by 'arrogant part-timers' after the council decided to continue using a leader and cabinet structure.

Ealing has had a leader and cabinet for 18 months and that was made permanent on November 20.

But campaigners 'Our Council: Our Choice' have attacked the decision saying that a public consultation indicated 51 per cent of respondents preferred an elected Mayor.

Christine Eborall, spokeswoman for 'Our Council: Our Choice', said: "Citizens are being frozen out of the decision-making process and ignored by an arrogant council. Over 10,500 consultations came back and over half put an elected Mayor first choice.

"All but one of the cabinet have a full or part-time job and we think it is insulting that governing the borough is viewed by politicians as a spare-time activity."

Council leader, Cllr John Cudmore, said: "We don't believe there is any enthusiasm for a referendum for an elected Mayor. I know the sacrifices some of my colleagues have made in private lives and with job opportunities so I think it is unfortunate that Mrs Eborall feels insulted by the fact that we have jobs. It is fitting for national politicians to be full-time, but local politicians should retain links with the people to stay in touch with the issues that matter. Work is a way of doing this."