MP fears low turn-out in Police and Crime Commissioner elections (From Wirral Globe)
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MP fears low turn-out in Police and Crime Commissioner elections
12:38pm Friday 2nd November 2012 in News
Andrew Miller MP
A WIRRAL MP has appealed to local voters to make their mark in the upcoming Police and Crime Commissioner elections following predictions that turn-out could be as low as 20%.
Prime Minister David Cameron acknowledged, in a Parliamentary exchange with Ellesmere Port and Neston MP Andrew Miller, that achieving a high turnout in the November 15 elections, woulld be 'a challenge.'
Mr Miller expressed concern that predicted turnout will be as low as 20% for the new role, prompting him to issue a plea to local voters to get out and make their voices heard on November 15.
He said: "I acknowledge that this is a controversial role, indeed the Labour party did not support its creation, as we believed that the money could be better spent on frontline policing.
"However, whatever your thoughts are about the new role, the answer can never be to stay at home and lose the chance to have your say about what the priorities for the Police will be over the next four years."
Mr Miler went on: "I challenged the Prime Minister earlier this year about the decision to use Hyundai police vehicles rather than locally made Vauxhalls and received a very disappointing reply.
"This is an example of a key issue with major local implications that the new Police and Crime Commissioner may seek to influence.
"If we want a PCC to have the legitimacy to challenge the Government on important local issues, it is vital that we all get out and use our votes on November 15.”
Comments(8)
Peppar John
says...
4:06pm Fri 2 Nov 12
Lurkinhead
says...
3:11am Sat 3 Nov 12
My belief is that this stance is not borne out of a concern for democracy on their part, as this merely requires all potential participants to be given the opportunity to vote, but amounts to an ideological attack on the legitimate democratic process within organisations with which they personally choose to disagree.
I hope that, in the interests of consistency, fairness, and natural justice, these Tories will apply the same logic to the Police and Crime Commissioner elections. Anything less would be hypocritical, and demonstrate politically motivated double standards wouldn't it?
Consequently, I look forward to them refusing to acknowledge the legitimacy of any result for which the turnout is less than 60%, and equally for them to apply the same legitimacy test to local council & general elections too!
Witch Finder General 2
says...
6:45am Sat 3 Nov 12
I believe this will be the worst electoral turn out in electoral history with a 5% turn out.
johnbrace
says...
10:20am Sat 3 Nov 12
The original plan had been to combine it with the other elections in May 2012 (which would've saved money as its far more cost effective running two elections at the same time).
However after being embarrassed and vilified during the AV referendum, the Lib Dems didn't want that. Hence the turnout will be lower.
It remains to be seen (as the election expenses returns won't be known about until well after the election is over) as to how (or if) candidates declare their deposit, bearing in mind a number of them will have their deposit returned.
bickyboy
says...
10:01am Wed 7 Nov 12
Its the most cynical and bogus piece of window dressing imaginable, and not worth the short walk to the polling station.
uncatom
says...
2:15pm Wed 7 Nov 12
bickyboy and Lurkinhead, lets hope the majority realise whats going on, political control over the police,we have already seen what can happen during the miners strike and other types of civil unrest, the first steps on a rocky road.
uncatom
says...
2:24pm Wed 7 Nov 12
bickyboy and Lurkinhead, lets hope the majority realise whats going on, political control over the police,we have already seen what can happen during the miners strike and other types of civil unrest, the first steps on a rocky road.
Fungy says...
3:14pm Fri 2 Nov 12