11
Feb
2016
By Calvin at 12:40 GMT, 8 years ago
With the elections for the 41 Police and Crime Commissioners for England and Wales (excluding London) due to take place on Thursday 5th of May 2016 the Home Secretary has suggested that we all vote for a Conservative candidate!
Devon and Cornwall’s Police and Crime Commissioner Tony Hogg (Conservative) says he is ‘deeply disappointed’ that Home Secretary Theresa May has expressed this rather ‘naked partiality’ and has released the following statement below. Although this website receives no support from Mr Hogg or the Devon and Cornwall police for that matter I find myself agreeing with him, so here’s his statement.....
In the statement, Mrs May says: “People can vote for a candidate who promises the world but delivers unsafe streets and wasted money. Or they can vote for a Conservative Police and Crime Commissioner who will work with the Government to deliver lower crime and safer communities, all while providing value for money.”
But Mr Hogg feels the statement is divisive.
“I had imagined the Home Secretary was more concerned with the overall performance of PCCs rather than stooping to divisiveness.“ he said.
“What are the public to think? Should they feel unsafe just because they have voted in a Labour, Lib Dem or Independent PCC? Is there any evidence that Conservative PCCs have delivered safer communities than others?”
“I am proud that the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners works most effectively along cross-party lines. One my most respected colleagues is Vera Baird QC, Labour PCC of Northumbria. She is deeply committed to her community and the issues of violence against women and girls amongst others.“
Mr Hogg is keen to celebrate the progress made by all PCCs, and feels the Home Secretary’s words are misplaced.
“I signed an oath of impartiality in November 2012. I have found that party politics has no place in the role of Police Commissioner and I believe the public are like-minded. Preaching a party line is unlikely to be a vote-winner.”
Devon and Cornwall Police and Crime Commissioner http://www.devonandcornwall-pcc.gov.uk/
