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| Police and crime commissioner candidates set out their stalls online | Police and crime commissioner candidates set out their stalls online |
| (4 months later) | |
| The Home Office has published the names and official statements of around 200 candidates bidding to become Britain's first directly elected police commissioners, amid fears that voter ignorance and indifference could undermine the experiment's legitimacy before it even begins. | The Home Office has published the names and official statements of around 200 candidates bidding to become Britain's first directly elected police commissioners, amid fears that voter ignorance and indifference could undermine the experiment's legitimacy before it even begins. |
| A compromise between coalition Tories, champions of US-style elections, and the Lib Dems ensured that voting will take place in winter darkness – rather than alongside the May local elections - and the austerity agenda ensured that candidates have been denied free election addresses by post. | A compromise between coalition Tories, champions of US-style elections, and the Lib Dems ensured that voting will take place in winter darkness – rather than alongside the May local elections - and the austerity agenda ensured that candidates have been denied free election addresses by post. |
| It has left them dependent for name recognition on canvassing, local meetings and new media, including their statements of 300 words each on the Home Office-funded ChooseMyPCC website. | It has left them dependent for name recognition on canvassing, local meetings and new media, including their statements of 300 words each on the Home Office-funded ChooseMyPCC website. |
| As a result, the Electoral Reform Society (ERS) has estimated that turnout could be as low as 18.5%. One poll this week suggested 10%. Lord (Ian) Blair, the former commissioner of the Metropolitan police – which has no election because London's mayor already acts as a quasi-PCC – angered ministers by urging voters to boycott the 15 November ballot during a television appearance last Sunday. | As a result, the Electoral Reform Society (ERS) has estimated that turnout could be as low as 18.5%. One poll this week suggested 10%. Lord (Ian) Blair, the former commissioner of the Metropolitan police – which has no election because London's mayor already acts as a quasi-PCC – angered ministers by urging voters to boycott the 15 November ballot during a television appearance last Sunday. |
| One public meeting in Reading attended by six candidates for the post in the Thames Valley force attracted barely 20 voters – out of the 2.2 million people living in the authority. | One public meeting in Reading attended by six candidates for the post in the Thames Valley force attracted barely 20 voters – out of the 2.2 million people living in the authority. |
| To the dismay of voters and the disquiet of police forces themselves, the largest group of candidates are not the independents which polls say most voters would prefer, but those picked by the main political parties – councillors past and current, MEPs, assembly members and a smattering of former MPs, mostly Labour. Only parties have the election machinery and volunteers to get the vote out, but low turnout could produce unexpected results. | To the dismay of voters and the disquiet of police forces themselves, the largest group of candidates are not the independents which polls say most voters would prefer, but those picked by the main political parties – councillors past and current, MEPs, assembly members and a smattering of former MPs, mostly Labour. Only parties have the election machinery and volunteers to get the vote out, but low turnout could produce unexpected results. |
| A quarter of the candidates are former military or police officers, both constables and senior ranks, who are campaigning on their experience. | A quarter of the candidates are former military or police officers, both constables and senior ranks, who are campaigning on their experience. |
| Fewer than 40 contenders are women, according to the Police Foundation's analysis. | Fewer than 40 contenders are women, according to the Police Foundation's analysis. |
| Labour and the Tories have candidates in all 41 police authorities – their size favours the Conservatives – with the Lib Dems contesting 23 and Ukip a similar number. Each has paid a £5,000 deposit. | Labour and the Tories have candidates in all 41 police authorities – their size favours the Conservatives – with the Lib Dems contesting 23 and Ukip a similar number. Each has paid a £5,000 deposit. |
| Newly-elected PCCs will be responsible for setting budgets and holding their chief constable to account. They also face daunting challenges in responding to popular clamour for more localised and visible neighbourhood policing at a time when the manpower-heavy service is struggling to achieve greater efficiency in the face of 20% budget cuts. | Newly-elected PCCs will be responsible for setting budgets and holding their chief constable to account. They also face daunting challenges in responding to popular clamour for more localised and visible neighbourhood policing at a time when the manpower-heavy service is struggling to achieve greater efficiency in the face of 20% budget cuts. |
| The outsourcing of back-office functions to private sector contractors is likely to increase, despite some candidates campaigning against it. The new PCCs, who will take over immediately from traditional low-profile police authorities, must also address the wider crime-reduction agenda which involves probation, councils and other local public services. | The outsourcing of back-office functions to private sector contractors is likely to increase, despite some candidates campaigning against it. The new PCCs, who will take over immediately from traditional low-profile police authorities, must also address the wider crime-reduction agenda which involves probation, councils and other local public services. |
| Ministers know they have taken a leap in the dark in imposing the new system without pilot schemes or the kind of referendums that rejected elected city mayors everywhere except Bristol in May. Fears that extremist or "Rambo" candidates might stand and even win have largely failed to materialise. But the police minister, Damian Green, who was out canvassing with Tory hopefuls this week, knows the scale of the gamble. | Ministers know they have taken a leap in the dark in imposing the new system without pilot schemes or the kind of referendums that rejected elected city mayors everywhere except Bristol in May. Fears that extremist or "Rambo" candidates might stand and even win have largely failed to materialise. But the police minister, Damian Green, who was out canvassing with Tory hopefuls this week, knows the scale of the gamble. |
| A selection of the candidates | A selection of the candidates |
| Nick Alston CBE (Con, Essex) exemplifies the strong police and military flavour in the first PCC elections. Born in a Harwich police station and the son of a former deputy chief constable of Essex, the Cambridge graduate served as a Royal Navy officer and then worked in unspecified "operational defence and security work" in the UK and abroad, including with Goldman Sachs. He is high-profile, and promises partnership and localism. Age: 59. Salary (if elected): £85,000. | Nick Alston CBE (Con, Essex) exemplifies the strong police and military flavour in the first PCC elections. Born in a Harwich police station and the son of a former deputy chief constable of Essex, the Cambridge graduate served as a Royal Navy officer and then worked in unspecified "operational defence and security work" in the UK and abroad, including with Goldman Sachs. He is high-profile, and promises partnership and localism. Age: 59. Salary (if elected): £85,000. |
| Vera Baird (Lab, Northumbria) is a barrister and former Redcar MP and solicitor general. She is one of several high-profile politicians almost certain to be elected. She wants to prioritise domestic violence against women, but is also tough on drink and drug abuse and antisocial behaviour. She opposes the outsourcing of police work to the private sector. Age: 62. Salary: £85,000. | Vera Baird (Lab, Northumbria) is a barrister and former Redcar MP and solicitor general. She is one of several high-profile politicians almost certain to be elected. She wants to prioritise domestic violence against women, but is also tough on drink and drug abuse and antisocial behaviour. She opposes the outsourcing of police work to the private sector. Age: 62. Salary: £85,000. |
| Richard Rhodes (Con, Cumbria) is a former headmaster and magistrate (of 33 years service) and currently chair of his local probation trust. He favours crime-mapping to focus resources, greater public engagement, an office for victim support and restorative justice. He says there are too many former soldiers in prison. A win against the Labour town vote will depend on turnout in remote rural areas. Age: 70. Salary: £65,000. | Richard Rhodes (Con, Cumbria) is a former headmaster and magistrate (of 33 years service) and currently chair of his local probation trust. He favours crime-mapping to focus resources, greater public engagement, an office for victim support and restorative justice. He says there are too many former soldiers in prison. A win against the Labour town vote will depend on turnout in remote rural areas. Age: 70. Salary: £65,000. |
| Godfrey Bloom (Ukip, Humberside and North Lincs) is a financial economist turned politically incorrect local MEP famous for flamboyant Strasbourg scrapes. He is seeking to defeat Lord Prescott, and campaigns nostalgically for old-fashioned police methods and tough treatment of thugs (including Prezza). He opposes "cash cow" speed cameras. Age: 62. Salary: £75,000 | Godfrey Bloom (Ukip, Humberside and North Lincs) is a financial economist turned politically incorrect local MEP famous for flamboyant Strasbourg scrapes. He is seeking to defeat Lord Prescott, and campaigns nostalgically for old-fashioned police methods and tough treatment of thugs (including Prezza). He opposes "cash cow" speed cameras. Age: 62. Salary: £75,000 |
| Ann Barnes (Independent, Kent) is a former teacher running on her track record of falling crime during six years as chair of the county police authority. She is anti-privatisation and opposed to party politics in policing. She calls the PCC elections "omnishambles2". Her backers include Martin Bell, but she is up against a strong local Tory in Craig Mackinlay. Age: 67. Salary £85,000. | Ann Barnes (Independent, Kent) is a former teacher running on her track record of falling crime during six years as chair of the county police authority. She is anti-privatisation and opposed to party politics in policing. She calls the PCC elections "omnishambles2". Her backers include Martin Bell, but she is up against a strong local Tory in Craig Mackinlay. Age: 67. Salary £85,000. |
| Tal Michael (Lab, North Wales) is the son of of the former cabinet minister Alun Michael (who is standing for PCC in South Wales). He stood down as chief executive of the local force to run for the job on a highly political, anti-cuts platform. He seeks efficiency savings but is wary of outsourcing, and focuses on crime hotspots and local solutions. Age: 42. Salary: £70,000 | Tal Michael (Lab, North Wales) is the son of of the former cabinet minister Alun Michael (who is standing for PCC in South Wales). He stood down as chief executive of the local force to run for the job on a highly political, anti-cuts platform. He seeks efficiency savings but is wary of outsourcing, and focuses on crime hotspots and local solutions. Age: 42. Salary: £70,000 |
| Suleman Nagdi (Independent, Leicestershire and Rutland) came to Britain as an East African refugee and has been a community activist, magistrate and deputy lord lieutenant. He has taught at police college and campaigned against extremism, and has two sons who serve as police officers. Up against the fancied Tory candidate Air Marshall Sir Clive Loader, he favours "persistence and patience" to achieve better crime outcomes. Age: 55. Salary: £75,000. | Suleman Nagdi (Independent, Leicestershire and Rutland) came to Britain as an East African refugee and has been a community activist, magistrate and deputy lord lieutenant. He has taught at police college and campaigned against extremism, and has two sons who serve as police officers. Up against the fancied Tory candidate Air Marshall Sir Clive Loader, he favours "persistence and patience" to achieve better crime outcomes. Age: 55. Salary: £75,000. |
| Peter Levy (Lib Dem, Avon and Somerset) is one of few Lib Dems in the running nationwide, but one of many cop candidates. A Wiltshire police cadet andf former military policeman, he is now a Bristol councillor. He emphasises hands-on experience, co-operation with local authorities and the need to protect vulnerable victims of crime. Age: 51. Salary: £85,000 | Peter Levy (Lib Dem, Avon and Somerset) is one of few Lib Dems in the running nationwide, but one of many cop candidates. A Wiltshire police cadet andf former military policeman, he is now a Bristol councillor. He emphasises hands-on experience, co-operation with local authorities and the need to protect vulnerable victims of crime. Age: 51. Salary: £85,000 |
| Michael Mates (Con, Hampshire and IoW) is a former army lieutenant-colonel who served in Northern Ireland. He served as an MP for 36 years and was security minister at the height of the Troubles. He won the hotly-contested Tory battle to become the oldest contender to become a PCC and appointed a younger lieutenant-colonel as his deputy in a contest against Labour's candidate, Jacqui Rayment, who is chair of the police authority. Age: 78. Salary: £85,000. | Michael Mates (Con, Hampshire and IoW) is a former army lieutenant-colonel who served in Northern Ireland. He served as an MP for 36 years and was security minister at the height of the Troubles. He won the hotly-contested Tory battle to become the oldest contender to become a PCC and appointed a younger lieutenant-colonel as his deputy in a contest against Labour's candidate, Jacqui Rayment, who is chair of the police authority. Age: 78. Salary: £85,000. |
| Bob Jones (Lab, West Midlands) is a Wolverhampton councillor and former chair of the National Association of Police Authorities. He is set to oversee Greater Birmingham, which is the biggest force outside London. He is campaigning against privatisation and cuts that will trim 1,259 officers from local ranks by 2015. He favours neighbourhood policing and promises to respect his chief constable's operational independence. Age: 57. Salary: £100,000. | Bob Jones (Lab, West Midlands) is a Wolverhampton councillor and former chair of the National Association of Police Authorities. He is set to oversee Greater Birmingham, which is the biggest force outside London. He is campaigning against privatisation and cuts that will trim 1,259 officers from local ranks by 2015. He favours neighbourhood policing and promises to respect his chief constable's operational independence. Age: 57. Salary: £100,000. |
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