Total farce ( no change there then ), we are being asked to choose someone that we know virtually nothing about. You couldn't make it up, although perhaps George Orwell might have had a go.
Why don't they call them 'County Sheriffs' and be done with it ?. I am in Prescott country, Humberside, covering a big area of North Lincolnshire and East Yorkshire. The rest of the candidates ? ... if I hadn't checked on the BBC website, I wouldn't know who else is standing. The publicity/election leaflets have been non-existent
The bigger story here is the scandal behind who is backing some of the candidates and that they don't have to declare who is supporting them until after the election. Without going into too much detail there are some very dubious people behind some of the candidates and human nature being what it it they are going to want something back for their investment.
The independant candidate up in Lincolnshire has had to pull out for example after it was exposed that he was able to afford a budget several times that of the others combined because he was being backed by an American company that is heavily involved in the privatisation of policing. Quite wrong imo.
The police have been politicised and no longer police by consent of the people.
They have a political agenda which is not necessarily in tune with what ordinary people want from their police force service.
The election of these commissioners is a sop to give an illusion of democracy and hoodwink the public into believing that they can influence policing policy.
That's my opinion anyway.
I will still vote but have yet to select my candidate of choice.
Here in Kent none of the candidates looks up to the job, so far as I can tell from the pitiful amount of information available. How are we supposed to vote under these circumstances? It's a farce, and will end with some very peculiar people, with very damaging agendas in positions of power over those who police us.
Here in Kent none of the candidates looks up to the job, so far as I can tell from the pitiful amount of information available. How are we supposed to vote under these circumstances? It's a farce, and will end with some very peculiar people, with very damaging agendas in positions of power over those who police us.
Here in Kent none of the candidates looks up to the job, so far as I can tell from the pitiful amount of information available. How are we supposed to vote under these circumstances? It's a farce, and will end with some very peculiar people, with very damaging agendas in positions of power over those who police us.
Frightening really.
A number of the candidates are loyal party servants who have not fared particularly well in elections or potential threats to the party mainstream and thus have been selected as a reward or hush money to chase a nice £85k a year earner.
In reality they will have little or no power rather like Boris who, for all his bluster, is little more than a glorified car park attendant as motorist persecution is about the only power the London Mayor really has.
I suspect there has not been much discussion on here as I assume most people live in London. And we are lucky enough to have Boris already assuming this role.
Here in Kent none of the candidates looks up to the job, so far as I can tell from the pitiful amount of information available. How are we supposed to vote under these circumstances? It's a farce, and will end with some very peculiar people, with very damaging agendas in positions of power over those who police us.
Frightening really.
Having seen the list of candidates, I can't see your problem. A lot of very well known high profile candidates. Steve's Uncle, for instance.
All I can say, really, is best of luck with that lot!! Waste of public money. Never mind, we're all in it ........
Someone involved in the elections said 'if you don't vote then you can't complain'. Well I anticipate I'll be complaining quite a lot so I will be picking a candidate and voting.
I have to staff the Polling Station as I'm a Local Government Officer. Expecting a very low turnout. I'll be taking a book!!! No-one round here seems to care about it.
I'd much rather have a person who was worked his/her way through the ranks and understands what is needed to police a county/area than someone who answers to their political masters and has no understanding of how the police operate at the coal face!
The Liberal Democrats have no candidate. It is only right to point out though that one of the independent candidates was (may still be) a long time member of and local councillor for the Liberal Democrats.
It might be that he/she has become disillusioned with the Party and left it. On the other hand it could be a disingenuous ploy to try and mitigate the toxic brand that the Liberal Democrats have become amongst many voters.
Just as long as people go in with their eyes open.
independents have had to cut the amount of leaflets distributed due to having to spend five grand just to run for election. I totally disagree with candidates being politically backed so will be voting for any independent one that has a good name
I suspect there has not been much discussion on here as I assume most people live in London. And we are lucky enough to have Boris already assuming this role.
We received a letter addressed to 'Postal Voters', my wife and I, from the Ann Barnes, the independent candidate. It was one of the worst letters I have ever read. It was the most arrogant self publicising rubbish I'd ever seen. Including taking credit for, personally, reducing crimes and preventing people becoming victims of crimes. A one point I thought she was Batman herself!
Needless to say I'm not voting for her.
I was hoping there would be a candidate called Gordon, who would have got my vote based on his name alone, but so such luck!
Total waste of public money and I won't vote. As sensible as electing doctors, as someone put it over the weekend.
On a slightly different note, the point of political parties is to organise. They will always dominate elections of any size because it's the only way you can campaign effectively.
Comments
15% turnout max
The independant candidate up in Lincolnshire has had to pull out for example after it was exposed that he was able to afford a budget several times that of the others combined because he was being backed by an American company that is heavily involved in the privatisation of policing. Quite wrong imo.
I hope you have a good book Stig...
They have a political agenda which is not necessarily in tune with what ordinary people want from their police
forceservice.The election of these commissioners is a sop to give an illusion of democracy and hoodwink the public into believing that they can influence policing policy.
That's my opinion anyway.
I will still vote but have yet to select my candidate of choice.
Frightening really.
In reality they will have little or no power rather like Boris who, for all his bluster, is little more than a glorified car park attendant as motorist persecution is about the only power the London Mayor really has.
Kent candidates and election statements if anybody cares!
All I can say, really, is best of luck with that lot!! Waste of public money. Never mind, we're all in it ........
http://www.hopenothate.org.uk/news/article/2453/kent-pcc-candidate-horrified-at-being-labelled-nazi-online
Just hope he or none of the other loony extremists sneak in on a tiny vote.
I'd much rather have a person who was worked his/her way through the ranks and understands what is needed to police a county/area than someone who answers to their political masters and has no understanding of how the police operate at the coal face!
The Liberal Democrats have no candidate. It is only right to point out though that one of the independent candidates was (may still be) a long time member of and local councillor for the Liberal Democrats.
It might be that he/she has become disillusioned with the Party and left it. On the other hand it could be a disingenuous ploy to try and mitigate the toxic brand that the Liberal Democrats have become amongst many voters.
Just as long as people go in with their eyes open.
Needless to say I'm not voting for her.
I was hoping there would be a candidate called Gordon, who would have got my vote based on his name alone, but so such luck!
No info through my door so no voters from Fanackapan Towers.
On a slightly different note, the point of political parties is to organise. They will always dominate elections of any size because it's the only way you can campaign effectively.