Police Commissioner Elections

Originally Posted by timwilky

I think the biggest issue is that the information is only available to the net connected.

Not just those who are not net connected, but even those who use the web and (like myself) had looked on the local Police Authority website in the mistaken belief that there might actually be some info on there - nope!

Originally Posted by Luckypants

the BBC has a decent page with links to the various candidates websites etc. /

Good call, have managed to find some decent info there

Originally Posted by timwilky

I think the biggest issue is that the information is only available to the net connected. This effectively removes choice as those who want to vote but lack knowledge of the individuals and their policies will go by political affiliation.

As an example. my candidate for the position in Lancashire happens to be the UKIP candidate. Whilst I would normally vote blue, the idiot responsible for 20mph on our main roads and the proliferation of speed cameras etc is the blue candidate. No way would he get my vote. and the red one just wants to talk about diversity

As I have said in a previous post the information available about the PCCs seems to vary wildly between regions.

For the Gwent and South Wales Forces there have been TV interviews on the news, in the papers and on the radio

Some of the candidates are holding meetings the public can come to so they can ask questions, as well as walking door to door, talking to the local people and passing out leaflets in city centres

I think it comes down to the candidates you have running. A lot of places have political "no bodies" or those in the twilight of their careers.

Some candidates are really putting their all into these elections and getting the information out there for the Force they want to represent.

It is sad to hear they are not all like that considering the ramifications the change will have

[squirrel_hunter]

So with less than a day to go I still haven't decided what to do.

I have read some interesting views here from both sides of the argument so thanks all for that. And it has prompted me to do a little more research to find out who my candidates are as the only literature I've received apart from a government leaflet was from the Conservatives. So a quick search on the BBC gave me my candidates and a little about them and their pledges.

I have ruled out the Conservative, Lib Dem, Labour, and UKIP candidates based on what I've read here any my own political persuasions. So that leaves me with a choice of two independents. The first one is an Anti-Police Corruption Campaigner, though I never seen anything corrupt from my local force. The second is apparently some sort of Civil Servant type that I'm not sure has any real police experience, but is standing on an anti privatisation platform.

The trouble is none of those candidates fills me with any confidence and on the basis I've heard nothing from any of them, I don't know if they have any confidence in themselves either.

I'm left in my opinion with no candidate to vote for. So should I turn up and spoil my ballot with "No Suitable Candidate" or should I just not bother with the whole process?

[tigersaw]

I'm voting for Gene Hunt

[Luckypants]

Originally Posted by squirrel_hunter

I'm left in my opinion with no candidate to vote for. So should I turn up and spoil my ballot with "No Suitable Candidate" or should I just not bother with the whole process?

If you feel that way then yes, that gives the message you are engaged but none of the candidates are worthy of your vote. It should make them think.

[yorkie_chris]

Originally Posted by squirrel_hunter

I'm left in my opinion with no candidate to vote for. So should I turn up and spoil my ballot with "No Suitable Candidate"

Yes, it's as good as a vote, one way to make yourself heard a little.

Originally Posted by squirrel_hunter

So with less than a day to go I still haven't decided what to do.

I have read some interesting views here from both sides of the argument so thanks all for that. And it has prompted me to do a little more research to find out who my candidates are as the only literature I've received apart from a government leaflet was from the Conservatives. So a quick search on the BBC gave me my candidates and a little about them and their pledges.

I have ruled out the Conservative, Lib Dem, Labour, and UKIP candidates based on what I've read here any my own political persuasions. So that leaves me with a choice of two independents. The first one is an Anti-Police Corruption Campaigner, though I never seen anything corrupt from my local force. The second is apparently some sort of Civil Servant type that I'm not sure has any real police experience, but is standing on an anti privatisation platform.

The trouble is none of those candidates fills me with any confidence and on the basis I've heard nothing from any of them, I don't know if they have any confidence in themselves either.

I'm left in my opinion with no candidate to vote for. So should I turn up and spoil my ballot with "No Suitable Candidate" or should I just not bother with the whole process?

I agree with Luckypants and Chris,

You should vote by not voting and marking your ballot as you have said.

I am sorry to hear there is no-one in your Police Force area that is suitable for the position.

Ideally there would be someone who is independent and is ex-Police who can fill the role with the knowledge needed and have the experience to do the job.

Gwent Police Force are lucky in that they have one such candidate running, as do Kent, but, they are the lucky few

[Bri w]

Tough one for Cleveland...

A candidate who openly admits he's standing a the Labour candidate, "and don't let anyone tell you politics won't play a part in the role." So he doesn't intend to distance himself from party politics(?).

A candidate who was wrongfully jailed whilst serving as a Police officer but doesn' mention it anywhere in his blurb.

A candidate who, although he has party affiliations, has paid his £5k deposit out of his own pocket to show the electorate he is independant of the party he's served for many years...

Looks like a spoilt paper from me.

[yorkie_chris]

And Yorkshire, ex DI who lists himself as independant

Originally Posted by yorkie_chris

And Yorkshire, ex DI who lists himself as independant

Is he who you'll be voting for Chris?

I don't know of who all the independants are, I just know Gwent Force as that is where my family is and Kent because I heard about that too...