Police and Crime Commissioners

[MrGongGong]

So does ANYONE think this is actually a GOOD idea ?

again ?

[Richard Tarleton]

again ?

I took Mangerton's advice and wrote to one of the candidates. I have received a thoughtful and helpful reply, acknowledging the serious information deficit in this election, and pointing out that there is no government funded doorstep delivery, meaning that only parties with the money to fund these themselves can do so. Also that the election was not actively supported in Parliament by any party other than the Conservatives and there are no Lib Dem candidates (or Plaid candidates) in Wales. Turnout will be "distressingly low".

This candidate is therefore reliant on doorstep canvassing, not easy in November in this geographically vast constituency, and social media.

So that's the answer - no, but we're stuck with it! There's more about the role and what this candidate would bring to it. I shall be voting for...this candidate.

[amateur51]

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?'

Well said, Vodka!

[amateur51]

Good article.

Isn't it, damn them I'd almost given up on the Staggers, and then they print this

[amateur51]

Good point ums

it's more than a little ridiculous that a government who no one voted for are asking us to vote for something we have no knowledge of

bizarre in the extreme
Is ANYONE who is standing in this election saying anything significantly different to anyone else ?
and surely the motives of those who put themselves forward are more than a little suspect ?

Pithy and unassailable

[MrGongGong]

So that's the answer - no, but we're stuck with it! There's more about the role and what this candidate would bring to it. I shall be voting for...this candidate.

I fear you have been taken in
don't vote for any of them
spoiled papers is the way methinks (not that it will make the slightest bit of difference but the exercise is good for you !)

[Richard Tarleton]

I took Mangerton's advice and wrote to one of the candidates. I have received a thoughtful and helpful reply, acknowledging the serious information deficit in this election, and pointing out that there is no government funded doorstep delivery, meaning that only parties with the money to fund these themselves can do so. Also that the election was not actively supported in Parliament by any party other than the Conservatives and there are no Lib Dem candidates (or Plaid candidates) in Wales. Turnout will be "distressingly low".

This candidate is therefore reliant on doorstep canvassing, not easy in November in this geographically vast constituency, and social media.

So that's the answer - no, but we're stuck with it! There's more about the role and what this candidate would bring to it. I shall be voting for...this candidate.

Just bumping mine up from under that blizzard of posts from ams
I also wrote to the local Conservative AM (Wales Assembly Member) and look forward to a reply there. I may yet write to our conservative MP....

Apparently all 41 Labour candidates, before being accepted as candidates by the NEC, signed a contract stating that they would not politicise the role of commissioner.

[Richard Tarleton]

I fear you have been taken in
don't vote for any of them
spoiled papers is the way methinks (not that it will make the slightest bit of difference but the exercise is good for you !)

Hmmmm....it's back to what ff said in her first post -

You're going to get someone elected, so the argument is that you might as well have someone you marginally like rather than someone you dislike.

[MrGongGong]

Hmmmm....it's back to what ff said in her first post -

I'm not convinced by that at all

surely it legitimises the whole charade ?

[gingerjon]

I hadn't realised this was happening, nor that I would have a vote. Here in leafy Chilternshire we're covered by Thames Valley Police. It turns out that one of the candidates is a parent at Little Ginger's school. He stood as a Lib Dem in the last few general elections (forlorn hope, this seat returns overall majorities to donkeys in blue rosettes) but is now the Labour candidate for Commissioner. We have, I think, six candidates to choose from. I've done what reading I can about them but have absolutely no idea who to vote for. Party loyalties would have be vote Lib Dem but given that I am strongly of the opinion that politics and policing shouldn't mix I'm really left with two independents about whom all I know is the few lines on their web sites.

And even that now appears to be better than most other areas!

[MrGongGong]

I'm really left with two independents about whom all I know is the few lines on their web sites.

And to reiterate slightly
What kind of person thinks that their own opinions are so important to justify them wanting to stand for this ?
I can see the reason for political parties doing but individuals ?
It's not as if there is some great burning moral question to address is there ....... ?

[french frank]

I'm not convinced by that at all

surely it legitimises the whole charade ?

That's always the argument for boycotting elections. But it doesn't actually achieve anything unless you can arrange for NO ONE to vote. Otherwise it goes through as a normal election, candidate elected and a few people squeaking on the sidelines (I know - I've squeaked) that the election has no legitimacy.

Take your choice, vote or don't vote. If you don't vote it probably increases the chance that your preferred candidate doesn't get elected.

[In any case, in my view most public elections in this country haven't been 'legitimate, but it's still business as usual.]

[MrGongGong]

Indeed it's a dilemma French

BUT

I don't think it's right to facilitate abusive behaviour (nothing personal but you know who I mean )

So we really are stuffed

I have NO preference and no one "represents" my point of view so it's always been the "least worst" , which is no way to organise anything.

[scottycelt]

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

Though I have a natural sympathy for this view and that of S_A, when I saw and heard Ian Warwick Blair, Baron Blair of Boughton no less, saying that he hoped people wouldn't vote, then I decided the much safer option would be to make damn well sure I remember to go out and cast any sort of vote, and also actively encourage others to do the same.

On the other hand, Who or What I'll be voting for I haven't really the faintest idea ...

[MrGongGong]

On the other hand, Who or What I'll be voting for I haven't really the faintest idea ...

no change there then