The names of candidates standing for election as the first Police and Crime Commissioner have been published today.
Polling is on November 15 and the result for West Yorkshire (including Leeds) – one of 41 police areas in England and Wales to get a new Commissioner – will be announced on November 16, following the count at Cathedral House in Huddersfield.
People are being asked to choose one Police and Crime Commissioner for their local police force. The Commissioner will be responsible for holding the Chief Constable and police force to account on the public’s behalf and will oversee how crime is tackled, aiming to make sure the police are providing a good service.
The following persons have been nominated:
Mark Burns-Williamson – The Labour Party Candidate
Geraldine Mary Carter – The Conservative Party Candidate
Cedric Mark Christie – Independent
Andrew Clive Glover Marchington – Liberal Democrats
Information about the candidates is being published by the Home Office at www.choosemypcc.co.uk and residents can register an interest by entering their postcode on the website.
A booklet giving information about the election and how to vote is being distributed to households by the Electoral Commission.
There has been a pathetic attmept to engage the public in this election. 99% of the public either do nto want this, are ill informed about it or do not care. It is a sham.
It is also a retrograde step to politicise the police. It may work in New York but not in Old York.
Yes, it does seem to be ill-advised at best. A recent article put the potential turnout at less than 20% – not sure how that gives a mandate to anyone to take up office of any kind.
Personally my vote goes to Commissioner Gordon. He’s done a grand job of cleaning up Gotham City )