England & Wales Police and Crime Commissioner elections, 2012

[-:Undertaker:-]

Well the elections are taking place across England and Wales on the 15th November for the new Police and Crime Commissioners which are largely another useless political office that has been created by the government - with turnout expected to very low in the region of 20%. So whilst I might not agree with the posts being created, rather like the European 'Parliament' Elections we can at least voice disapproval through these elections.

The Wikipedia page, found here; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/England...lections,_2012 gives details on the regional seats as well as (before anybody enquires) listing only Labour, the Conservatives, the Liberal Democrats and UKIP as these are the only parties which have managed to put up substantial national coverage - the likes of the Greens and independents are standing in some seats though which you can find on the link.

So the question is, who are you voting? or even are you planning to vote?

Thoughts?

[FlyingJesus]

Independant runner Ian Chisnall - my friend's dad

Think he's actually the favourite currently which is odd considering how Conservative most of Sussex is

[Kardan]

Voting Labour in my area.

[Inseriousity.]

No idea. not heard a word from any of them. I find the whole concept of a police commissioner very uneasy anyway.

[Grig]

No idea. not heard a word from any of them. I find the whole concept of a police commissioner very uneasy anyway.

It's not a new concept. Britain implemented a police commissioner in places like Hong Kong since they gained the city in the 19th century and it worked well. Although it's curious that you vote for one, as it's usually someone appointed.

[tm]

100% not voting for the following two reasons.

1. A former Met police chief (who held a similar position as to what we're supposedly voting for) said a few weeks ago to boycott the voting because its disorganised and farcical*. He knows far better than anyone what's going on and I trust his judgement as an expert on this.

2. The police must to be impartial politically, and rightly so, but the people we're supposed to be voting for are (mainly) politicians representing specific political parties. It's absolutely ridiculous, a complete conflict of interest and undermines the impartiality of the whole policing system in England. The PCCs must swear an oath of impartiality if they win, so why the hell are they representing political parties in the first place? **

I encourage anyone who's considering voting to read the two sources I've linked to and then find as much information as possible out about who they might be voting for as to make an informed decision based on the individual nominee.

Most importantly: DO NOT JUST BLINDLY VOTE FOR THE POLITICAL PARTY YOU USUALLY SUPPORT!

* Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-20020451
** Source: http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/media-c...missioner-oath

[GommeInc]

A complete waste of time and the big political parties have no idea who they're chucking into the mix. In Canterbury, the Labour and Conservative candidates have no experience in policing and have barely been involved in public service or anything to do with the law - so Christ knows what they're doing... The only decent ones are Independents, one of which has some working knowledge of policing and the law.

[-:Undertaker:-]

Most importantly: DO NOT JUST BLINDLY VOTE FOR THE POLITICAL PARTY YOU USUALLY SUPPORT!

Indeed, apparently the Conservatives and UKIP were going to not stand candidates (and not make it political) but then Labour went ahead and decided to stand candidates under the Labour Party label. Personally I think party names ought to be removed from the ballot in every election so people actually have to go out and read about the candidates rather than simply look for Labour or Conservative and place an X next to it.

Good to see a strong vote for independents so far, my vote is with Godfrey Bloom MEP in Yorkshire.

[tm]

Indeed, apparently the Conservatives and UKIP were going to not stand candidates (and not make it political) but then Labour went ahead and decided to stand candidates under the Labour Party label. Personally I think party names ought to be removed from the ballot in every election so people actually have to go out and read about the candidates rather than simply look for Labour or Conservative and place an X next to it.

Exactly. They've made this into a political vote when it simply isn't one and I cannot understand why it's been allowed to happen.

[Ardemax]

It would be nice to ask people if they wanted this to happen in the first place...