Leics. Police & Crime Commissioner

[Webbo]

The candidates for Leicestershire. Doesn't give a great deal of details;

http://www.policeelections.com/candidates/leicestershire/

[ADK]

Really is a dreadful field of candidates.

[flowwolf]

So what happens if no one bothers to vote for two of these sad acts ? I certainly would not vote for a woman as ugly as her and she's a pinko commie to boot. So that leaves the well qualified and decent Conservative or the Muslim who's idea of justice is to stone women to death for wearing lipstick.

[Nick]

So what happens if no one bothers to vote for two of these sad acts ? I certainly would not vote for a woman as ugly as her and she's a pinko commie to boot. So that leaves the well qualified and decent Conservative or the Muslim who's idea of justice is to stone women to death for wearing lipstick.

Balanced.

[Zingari]

The candidates for Leicestershire. Doesn't give a great deal of details;

http://www.policeele...leicestershire/

Clive Loader is absolutely dripping with medals and braids .

He looks as though he'd easily qualify as a decent dictator of a small South American country

He'd get my vote

[flowwolf]

Balanced.

I try to be.

[flowwolf]

Clive Loader is absolutely dripping with medals and braids .

He looks as though he'd easily qualify as a decent dictator of a small South American country

He'd get my vote

He gets mine two. He's got two tassel's the criminal underworld better take note.

[Alf Bentley]

Does anyone know much about the Independent, Suleman Nagdi, in real life?

I find his manifesto reasonably impressive, but what someone is like on paper and in reality are often 2 different things....

The Labour woman doesn't seem to have much to recommend her, apart from not being a Tory, while I've never voted for a Tory in my life and have no intention of ever breaking that admirable tradition.

Can't we vote in the Obama/Romney contest instead? I feel better informed about that...

[davieG]

BBC

Leaflets about the police and crime commissioner elections have begun to be sent to 21 million households.

Voters in all parts of England and Wales outside London will elect a person to oversee each police force on 15 November.

The new commissioners will replace police authorities in 41 areas.

The Electoral Commission leaflets explain more about the role and the voting system being used, amid concerns of a low turnout from voters.

The commission says households should receive their leaflets by the end of the week.

The police and crime commissioners, who will be paid a salary between £65,000 and £100,000, will agree budgets, set strategic priorities and recruit or dismiss chief constables.

Local police authorities made up of councillors currently have these powers.

The commissioners will not take decisions on day-to-day police operations.

The candidate lists have been published for 39 of the 41 police areas holding the elections.

The remaining two - Avon and Somerset, and Gloucestershire - will publish on Tuesday.

The figures so far show:

• 186 candidates in total are standing in the 39 areas that have published so far
  
• 28% of candidates are independent
  
• Labour and the Conservatives are running candidates in every area, while the Liberal Democrats are running candidates in 22 of the 39 areas which have released details
  
• 17% of candidates are women (32 out of 186)
  
• UKIP are running 24 candidates in the 39 areas
  
• one Green candidate is standing
  

Boycott call

On Sunday, former Metropolitan Police chief Lord Ian Blair said people should boycott the elections in a bid to stop the proposal.

He said each commissioner would have to control too large an area.

But Home Secretary Theresa May said the commissioners would, for the first time, have a democratic mandate over police.

And she said that contrary to some reports, the candidate manifestos were not just available online, but also in print if people requested them in that format.

The Home Office has launched a media campaign to attract interest in the elections amid concerns about a possible low turnout by the public.

The Electoral Reform Society predicted turnout will be as low as 18.5% - compared with 65% in the 2010 general election.

Its chief executive, Katie Ghose, has warned the elections were in danger of "turning into a farce"

[davieG]

Does anyone know much about the Independent, Suleman Nagdi, in real life?

I find his manifesto reasonably impressive, but what someone is like on paper and in reality are often 2 different things....

The Labour woman doesn't seem to have much to recommend her, apart from not being a Tory, while I've never voted for a Tory in my life and have no intention of ever breaking that admirable tradition.

Can't we vote in the Obama/Romney contest instead? I feel better informed about that...

If I decide to vote, not being in favour of this at all I'll probably vote for the Independent candidate because i feel it has nothing to do with party politics and candidates should not be funded by political parties.

Too many of the problems associated with how the police, education and the NHS are run are the result of interference from party politics.

[Zingari]

He gets mine two. He's got two tassel's the criminal underworld better take note.

Yes , they look like they could be easily used as impromptu cat o nine tails if chummy continues to misbehave.

[Alf Bentley]

If I decide to vote, not being in favour of this at all I'll probably vote for the Independent candidate because i feel it has nothing to do with party politics and candidates should not be funded by political parties.

Too many of the problems associated with how the police, education and the NHS are run are the result of interference from party politics.

Partly agree, partly disagree. Agree that, if there is to be such a position, we need someone of independence, though a minority of party politicians have the individual profile or the knowledge/credibility of the specialist field to do the job well. This is not a party political point, so examples of the former are Johnson/Livingstone in London; can't think of any party political specialists in policing, but, say, in defence, the Tory Rory Stewart and Labour's Denis Healey, of old, would have the status. What we certainly don't need is some greasy-pole-climber with no expertise and lacking the spine/motivation to challenge party interests.

The risk with an independent is that they may turn out to be a complete loose cannon, on an ego trip or completely out of their depth, without even the slanted party sources of advice available...which is why I'd be interested to hear from anyone familiar with this Nagri character. His manifesto is quite impressive - sounds a decent bloke, of relevant experience and character with some good ideas....but lots of people can appear that way in words, but not in practice...

[davieG]

Partly agree, partly disagree. Agree that, if there is to be such a position, we need someone of independence, though a minority of party politicians have the individual profile or the knowledge/credibility of the specialist field to do the job well. This is not a party political point, so examples of the former are Johnson/Livingstone in London; can't think of any party political specialists in policing, but, say, in defence, the Tory Rory Stewart and Labour's Denis Healey, of old, would have the status. What we certainly don't need is some greasy-pole-climber with no expertise and lacking the spine/motivation to challenge party interests.

The risk with an independent is that they may turn out to be a complete loose cannon, on an ego trip or completely out of their depth, without even the slanted party sources of advice available...which is why I'd be interested to hear from anyone familiar with this Nagri character. His manifesto is quite impressive - sounds a decent bloke, of relevant experience and character with some good ideas....but lots of people can appear that way in words, but not in practice...

I didn't say that someone with Labour or Tory or any other political party affiliations shouldn't stand, how could one legitimately exclude them just that they should not be funded by therefore beholden to their chosen political party.

Your description of the risky Independent sounds like a lot of party politicians and I would therefore suggest it's a false fear and just as applicable to any other candidate.

[Alf Bentley]

I didn't say that someone with Labour or Tory or any other political party affiliations shouldn't stand, how could one legitimately exclude them just that they should not be funded by therefore beholden to their chosen political party.

Your description of the risky Independent sounds like a lot of party politicians and I would therefore suggest it's a false fear and just as applicable to any other candidate.

Accept the 2nd point, though parties usually filter out complete maniacs.

Re. the 1st point: not sure that not being funded would make much difference to a party politician - if they're a greasy-pole climber, they would still be beholden to the party for their career, even without funding, whereas the rare few with sufficient independence or strength of character would not be, even if they were funded.

[davieG]

Accept the 2nd point, though parties usually filter out complete maniacs.

Re. the 1st point: not sure that not being funded would make much difference to a party politician - if they're a greasy-pole climber, they would still be beholden to the party for their career, even without funding, whereas the rare few with sufficient independence or strength of character would not be, even if they were funded.

Well they don't do a very good job do they, plenty of party political maniacs around and a lack of honesty and integrity.

I'd obviously like party politics to be totally out of it as I would with local elections but you can't stop an individual form having party political links or leanings but at least by stopping the funding there's a chance of some independent thinking and decision making,

[Captain...]

Well they don't do a very good job do they, plenty of party political maniacs around and a lack of honesty and integrity.

I'd obviously like party politics to be totally out of it as I would with local elections but you can't stop an individual form having party political links or leanings but at least by stopping the funding there's a chance of some independent thinking and decision making,

I have to agree, politics should be kept out of it, if only to make people actually consider each candidate based on what they have to offer rather than on political bias.

[flowwolf]

Yes , they look like they could be easily used as impromptu cat o nine tails if chummy continues to misbehave.

I'v since been reliably informed that they are in fact ornamental Tazers but can be still used in an emergency on the likes of blind people carrying white sticks should they be caught stumbling along minding their own business.

[davieG]

The three people who hope to be elected as Leicestershire's first police and crime commissioner next month have spelled out their policies to a city audience.

Monday night's event at the Holiday Inn, St Nicolas Circle, was organised by the Chartered Management Institute and Neighbourhood Watch.

It was attended by about 50 members of the public.

The three candidates, Labour's Sarah Russell, the Conservatives' Sir Clive Loader and independent Suleman Nagdi, answered a series of questions which had been submitted in advance, as well as those asked by the audience on the night.

Among those questions was each being asked to name their three priorities, whether they believed the winner of the November 15 election would have true influence and how they saw the role.

City councillor Ms Russell, who serves as one of the city's assistant mayors, said: "Community policing, services for victims and crime prevention are the three areas I would prioritise. If I see something I don't like I'm not the sort of person who likes to stand on the sidelines shouting about it.

"I like to get involved to see if there is something I can do to make things work and to help people.

"Police and crime commissioners will not be in charge of day-to-day policing. Operational matters are for the chief constable and that is right.

"The role will be strategic, developing the policing plan which will bring together people's concerns, the different crime priorities and how resources will be put in different areas."

Recently retired Air Chief Marshall, Sir Clive, said: "I want to form a powerful team with the chief of police in order to energise a new and vigorous spirit throughout the police that we are going to drive down crime.

"I want to reduce reoffending rates, because I believe that is key to reducing crime in significant numbers.

"Operational matters are for the chief constable, but I would sit down with him every week and go through the statistics for the previous week to identify stubborn crime trends and hotspots.

"Then we would address those trends.

"You are being asked to elect a person who whose only job is to reduce crime and make the streets safer."

Mr Nagdi, a businessman and community worker, said: "I sincerely believe policing should remain free of political influence, hence my decision to stand as an independent candidate.

"I am not saying that would happen here but I do not want us to go back to the bad old days of politics interfering in policing.

"Visibility is the single biggest factor. People want to see police officers on the street.

"Also, victims of crime have to be central in every investigation. Too often we focus on the perpetrator.

"We also need to take positive action against antisocial behaviour.

"Can we make a difference? I believe we can."

Monday's event was chaired by Mercury editor Richard Bettsworth.

The Home Office last week launched a nationwide advertising campaign to boost awareness of the election.

The Electoral Reform Society last month suggested just 18.5 per cent of people nationwide would vote. Those findings were mirrored in a poll by the Mercury.

All three candidates admitted they were concerned about a potential low turn-out and said they were doing all they could through their campaigning to encourage people to use their votes.

The two party candidates also stressed their political affiliations would not affect their decision making.

[ADK]

Might vote for the muslim, bet we could sell out the king power for a few public stonings each year

[Guest MattP]

Definitely voting for the Muslim here.

[1964FOX]

Don't agree with these elections but have to try to get the best option there is.

Sir Clive will privatise everything e possibly can as soon as he can so your taxes will be going to pay for profits of a private company.

Mr Nagri really doesn't show me any sort of knowledge o commitment either way.

Sarah promises to keeppolice service in the public sector so all the money will be spent on providing a service and she supports safe standing and returning some liberties to football fans which have been taken over the last 25 years.

VOTE SARAH

[Reynard Bleu]

Waste of time, get rid of them and the police and the lawyers. Arm the judges and give them souped up motor cycles to roam the streets and dispense summary justice Dredd style.

PS no wigs.

[21st Century Fox]

Waste of time, get rid of them and the police and the lawyers. Arm the judges and give them souped up motor cycles to roam the streets and dispense summary justice Dredd style.

PS no wigs.

I agree. Also they should each have a clone of Rob Schneider that follows them around.