Cumbria County Council's top job should be externally advertised

I entirely agree with John Stevenson MP that the post of Cumbria County Council's new Chief Executive should be externally advertised. If a candidate who already works for the County Council is the best, let him or her prove it in a fair contest against all comers.

This job is far too important and the postholder will face too many severe challenges not to choose him or her from a wide range of possible applicants.