Police and Crime Commissioners

[french frank]

I would think that the best option
would be to have a mass abstention
rather than playing this silly game

That's what will happen - unfortunately, there's no way to guarantee 100% (non-)participation.

[Nick Armstrong]

I have held the opinion for a long time that anybody who wants high office should be barred from it, , on those very grounds !!

ts that's one of my lines! It's long been my view too.

The PCC elections are a waste of time, I think, or worse - and the two candidates (not in London) of whom I have any personal knowledge are rather silly, self-important wind-bags, who I wouldn't want to see in charge of a whelk-stall let alone a police force.

Not wishing to be judgmental, of course...

[Anna]

I've just looked into the backgrounds of our 4 candidates. Both Independents have served long-term in the Police. The Labour one is a solicitor/councillor and I find the software firm he and his wife run were responsible for the monumental IT cockup at County Hall. The Conservative is hard to ferret out any information about except he failed to gain a seat in the Assembly Elections and says he was once a victim of crime. Both Independents have pledged no privatisation.

[jean]

I have held the opinion for a long time that anybody who wants high office should be barred from it, , on those very grounds !!

ts that's one of my lines! It's long been my view too.

I think you'll find Plato got there first.

[Nick Armstrong]

I think you'll find Plato got there first.

Did he? He goes up in my estimation!



PS I had no idea it was a Platonic concept.

[CUE: vinteuil with an admonishment....]

[french frank]

and there were hustings where the candidates spoke

Actually, now I remember, that wasn't for the party selection process, but for all the final candidates. I think it was arranged by the city council as it took place in the Council House, but there would have had to be similar meeting in other parts of the A&S area as well.

[I can't remember whether I knew the hustings were taking place; at any rate I didn't go. But I know a man who did.]

[VodkaDilc]

I would think that the best option
would be to have a mass abstention
rather than playing this silly game

I have decided on this course of action too.

[MrGongGong]

So does ANYONE think this is actually a GOOD idea ?

I"m always puzzled by these things that seem to have so much unanimous condemnation
a bit like the "free schools" nonsense
does anyone think it's a good idea to employ people with no experience or skill to teach children ?

and if there aren't ANY supporters why are we wasting so much money (which I thought was supposed to be scarce ? ) on such idiotic ideas ?

[VodkaDilc]

Don't get me started on Free Schools, Mr GG! Introduce new standards for teachers' abilities in Maths and English - then say they don't need them in Free Schools or Academies. That's logical, Mr Gove!

40+ years ago, when I received mine, that scrappy piece of paper, with its all-important number giving Qualified Teacher Status, was really important. Now prospective teachers must think: 'why bother?'

[Anna]

I have decided on this course of action too.

But the point is, if you stick a red rosette on a donkey in South Wales it wins. And if you stick a blue one on one somewhere like, dunno, Cheshire, it wins. So, vote independent to keep politics out

[MrGongGong]

I"ve got a CRB
so therefore I can teach German
(though I can't understand a word of it )

[teamsaint]

Did he? He goes up in my estimation!



PS I had no idea it was a Platonic concept.

[CUE: vinteuil with an admonishment....]

AFAI remember, i got the idea from Mrs TS...she must have been doing some sly research on Plato on the quiet.
incidentally, don't give them ideas about the whelk stall ownership......

[french frank]

I have held the opinion for a long time that anybody who wants high office should be barred from it, , on those very grounds !!

The next philosophical question would be: why would the people most suitable for high office not want it? All anarchists?

[Serial_Apologist]

The next philosophical question would be: why would the people most suitable for high office not want it? All anarchists?

Equally importantly how about those happy with reaching halfway up the greasy pole?

[teamsaint]

Equally importantly how about those happy with reaching halfway up the greasy pole?

i would question the need for a pole, greasy or otherwise. Who planted it, and what were the motives? And who decides what kind of pole?
In this country , I imagine the big decisions were taken by a pold Etonian.