Readers have been having their say on whether or not there should be a Mayor of Cumbria.

This comes after a letter was published which questioned if the decision was a democratic one.

Michael Gove, the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, said he will use powers to make sure it happens, even if there is some dissent.

Also, local leaders will be given the chance to bid for a combined mayoral authority, appointing a Mayor of Cumbria.

A hot issue, it attracted a healthy debate in the comments.

Lorraine Mary Alfaro said: "It is all about reducing the number of MPs we have in Parliament to represent Cumbria. Why?

"Because it is about redrawing the boundaries in favour of conservatives prior to the next election.

"It’s actually reducing the level of democratic representation and voices that we have in Parliament fighting for Cumbria."

Dot Neate said: "Look what the Mayor has done for London no thank you also we don't need any changes either it's not broken leave well alone"

Paul Reay said: "I'll put my name forward, I'll sort the roads clean all the weeds from the streets and rubbish, I'll use offenders to do all the dirty jobs that council cannot afford, make town centers a nice place to go, make sure police presents on the streets at all times, make shop owners keep the frontage clean and presentable."

Peter Blakemore said: "No more pointless over paid positions needed thanks.

"We should be scrapping all the mayor roles, the whole government system in this country is outdated, old fashioned and out of touch."

Joe Fulton said: "A total waste of money."

Paul Goodwin said: "How can it be democratic when the people haven't had a vote to say we want a Cumbria mayor in the first place?

"Isn't that the democratic process or are we just bypassing the process."