MP fears low turn-out in Police and Crime Commissioner elections (From Wirral Globe)

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.”