Police Commissioners Election 15 November

[Wytchfynder]

Anybody intend voting on 15 Nov?  gimmick mickey mouse job? Do we really need one or should we let the police just get on with doing their stuff? 
What about the candidates? inspiring or duffers?

[Cupcake]

I have read the blurb from the candidates and I am having a think.  If I find myself with a preference, I will vote.  If I think they're all equally decent candidates, then I think it's fairer to let those with a preference make the choice.  I can't see it making a massive difference round here, but equally, I can't see the harm in providing someone outside the Force to listen to people and ask questions on their behalf.   If it makes the Police a little more approachable or accountable to ordinary bods, then fair enough. 

[Wytchfynder]

I've been having a look at the candidates and undecided as yet. The retired inspector guy has loads of police experience so probably knows whats what, but I kinda like the idea of an independent candidate with no party politics agendas.
Then again this is Manchester so that Labour guy will probably win anyway.
I find those telly adverts about the elections kinda offensive...features all male criminals. Presumably women do not commit crime     

[Cupcake]

I'm in Cheshire, and I think the LibDem may be getting my vote.  Worked with the Police and also in the private sector, so he should be able to push the agendas of both business and residential communities whilst understanding the realistic limits on resources.  The Conservative is a retired Senior Officer, so I am a bit hesitant over his mindset being the same as the Police, making the role a bit pointless.  The other three seem very nice people, but have no experience to draw upon and that makes me think their aims may not always be achievable, leading to time-wasting arguments and compromises that are weak in practice.
 
Is there a salary for this job?  I didn't bother looking.....

[Wytchfynder]

salary over £100,000 and probably closer to £150k

[Cupcake]

Definitely the LibDem then.  No cushy jobs for the old boys and no mega-handouts for the well-intentioned but unqualified, thank you very much.      

[Wytchfynder]

It's one of those 1st and 2nd preference elections. what a joke, someone could win with only 10% of the votes.
Anyway, I'd vote for the guy who promises to remove all speed cameras.

[Wytchfynder]

Ideally everyone should boycott the elections and we can use the £100,000 for a few extra policemen on the streets instead. 
 
We've already got a Chief Constable to keep the show on the road and maintain the peace and all that.

[Cupcake]

You couldn't run a general election that way, but for this kind of thing, I am quite in favour of being able to rank the candidates in order of preference.  Effectively, I am getting the option to pick my preferred bod, but also to vote against anyone I can't stand winning.  In cases like this, I think there's something to be said for getting an elected official that at least half the voters ranked in their top two or three.  As opposed to someone who squeaked home with 23% of the vote and everyone else hating him..... this method would have stopped the BNP MEPs, I reckon.  Whilst boycotting those elections allowed the unattractive minority to slither under the toilet door....let's not do that again!

[Wytchfynder]

I'm disappointed to note that most of the candidates are supported by political parties, and we all know politicians are gravy train freeloaders with their snouts in the trough.

[Cupcake]

Given that the Police take their brief from Government policies of the day, the political stance of any candidate - even the independent ones - is a big factor for voters.  Do you want someone who supports a Government you dislike or do you want someone basically opposed, who will question and test everything, even if that wastes time and money?  I agree with you, the ideal candidate would not be of strong political alliance to anyone, but then that means I'd be voting someone into a seriously political position of influence when they're not much interested.....    Do you know, I almost think I'd rather see a panel, drawn from a range of backgrounds and the salary split between them..... almost.  Only my utter phobia of committees prevents it!! 
 
 

[Wytchfynder]

People rarely get the govt they want under the currrent fpp system.  PR is the best way    I certainly don't recall seeing a 'coalition party' on my ballot slip.
I'm inclined to think that the candidates for this job should all be independent experienced police officers rather than gravy train politicians. The public would then know theyre voting for someone who understands what policing is all about, knows the crime hot spots, the criminals, and what needs sorting out etc.
One things for sure..I won't be voting for that clown who supported the Mcr congestion scheme scam. 

[Cupcake]

Experience, I agree, but my reservation is that a successful career police officer who made it to the top is going to automatically think along the same lines as the Police, so what's that adding for the £100K price tag?
 
Maybe we should be recruiting amongst former criminals? 
 
Can't agree with PR - that would give all kinds of nutters just enough presence to foul absolutely everything up with random agenda battles. One man, one vote, majority wins is the most efficient option, BUT I would have the election of Government as a single vote, separate to electing an MP.  I might well like my local candidate from a party I'd never want running the country.  Don't see why I can't have it both ways.  Two papers "who do you want locally?" and "who do you want in No10?" on the same day wouldn't overload the system, would it?

[Wytchfynder]

Problem with current fpp system is that out of an electorate of 40/50 million only 80,000 votes actually matter, so the rest of us may as well bin those ballot papers.
Germany PR system excludes parties with less than 5% to keep the loonies out.

[Cupcake]

Yes, that's why I'd like to see a direct vote on governing party.  It's an itch to me that I sometimes have to decide between choosing a party to vote for and choosing the individual who will do the best job locally.
 
Do you not think PR invites coalitions?  I find the current one annoying - can't imagine coping with the Lib Dems taking control by harnessing the minorities