Lord Rogers is set to lose his role as chief adviser on architecture and urbanism to the London mayor if Ken Livingstone is not re-elected next week
Livingstone's two main challengers, Simon Hughes and Steven Norris, have criticised the idea of a "sole arbiter" on the capital's design and favour a panel system.

Liberal Democrat Simon Hughes said he wanted a new generation of design gurus to take Rogers' place.

Speaking at "The Shape of London", a debate between the candidates organised by the Architecture Foundation, Hughes said: "I wouldn't keep a single person as the adviser – I think that's very exclusive. You want a group of people with ideas – there are plenty of architects from abroad, such as Herzog & de Meuron who designed the Tate Modern and the Laban Centre."

Conservative candidate Steven Norris said he would downsize the Architectural and Urbanism Unit, which Rogers chairs. He said: "I'm slightly worried about the idea of a mayor becoming the sole style arbiter for the city. A unit that attempts to dictate style wouldn't necessarily be part of my vision."

Mayor Ken Livingstone remained bullish about Lord Rogers' role on the AUU. He said: "I would retain Richard Rogers, whom I regard as a good radicalising influence both on the planning staff at the Greater London Authority and on boroughs and other developers."