From what I understand neither Plaid Cymru nor The Liberal
Democrats intend to propose nominees for election to the Police Commissioners
posts next November.
I had been told that Plaid might be willing to give
practical support to an independent candidate who was generally favourable to the
national cause, so I looked at the possibilities of standing as an independent.
But the evidence proves that it would be absolutely impossible for an
independent to mount a credible campaign in policing areas as huge as Dyfed
Powys and the North; in terms of costs, resources and of practicality so there is
no point in a candidate standing without the support of a political party or a
similar organisation.
So it appears that our choice come next November will be
between the Labour candidate, the Conservative candidate or a person with more
money than sense!
So do we not bother voting or do we spoil our ballot?
ReplyDeleteI suspect turn out will be derisory - spoiling the paper is a real option, and remember if you write something then the returning officer will show it to all the candidates or their agents before ruling it as spoiled.
ReplyDeleteI must practice writing out 'Alun Michael you are a knob!'
ReplyDeleteA campaign for people to write in 'Alun Michael you are a knob!' could get real momentum!
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ReplyDeleteOr in North Wales "Tal Michael you are the son of a Knob" or is he one in his own right?"
ReplyDeleteWhy are we copying a American elected Sheriff system anyway! The crime rate here in the States are the highest in the Western World!!
ReplyDeleteYep its a huge US-style generalisation. Crime is the result of social and economic problems. Electing commissioners who have no social or economic levers to deal with crime is a waste of time.
ReplyDeleteHey it's not impossible for an independent to mount a credible campaign in North Wales. Or anywhere else for that matter - no-one wants their police force under the control of a political party. Don't be so miserable!
ReplyDeleteI just need enough people to vote for me now. Simples. Like nationalists who believe in devolving police accountability to a Commissioner on our doorstep rather than a remote politician in Cardiff who takes his/her orders from London anyway.
It's not a cheap import from the US by the way, and Police Commissioners will have control of the Drugs Intervention Programme budget and some community safety moneys so there are definitely some levers of power to pull on frantically!