ELECTION season is in full swing and it’s time to select a new police, fire and crime commissioner for Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent.
Election season is in full swing and it’s time to select a new police, fire and crime commissioner for Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent.
The commissioner’s office administers budgets for Staffordshire Police and the county’s fire and rescue service.
It also oversees council tax rates, staffing, equipment and bricks and mortar property decisions. The offices were created to replace police authorities in 2012.
The current Conservative commissioner, Matthew Ellis, is stepping down after his second term and an extra year served due to the pandemic putting the May 2020 election on ice.
On May 6, five candidates from across the political spectrum will vie to take the new top police and fire job for Staffordshire.
Below is 100 words from each candidate on why you should vote for them this May:
Richard Whelan, Liberal Democrats
Mr Whelan said: “I am standing as the Liberal Democrat candidate for police and crime commissioner for Staffordshire on May 6 effectively to abolish the position and replace it with an elected police board made up mainly of elected councillors.
“Liberal Democrats believe that, particularly in Staffordshire, there has been excessive wasteful spending, both with the position itself and its support staff.
“Such money would be better spent on local community policing to tackle the relatively high crime rate seen across Staffordshire.”
Tony Kearon, Labour
Mr Kearon, a councillor on Newcastle Borough Council, said: “I’m a criminologist, with over 20 years experience of working with police, fire services, councils, businesses and residents to reduce crime and deliver safer communities.
“I’ve chaired a successful community safety partnership, and have been involved in domestic homicide reviews. I’ve supported victims of crimes from business crime and burglary to domestic violence and sexual assault.
“I’ve worked with police commissioners and councils of every political persuasion, and diverse communities. I will be a commissioner for EVERY resident and community across Staffordshire without fear or favour. I will bring professionalism, work ethic and years of experience of delivering safer communities.”
Ben Adams, Conservative
Mr Adams, who previously served as a cabinet member on Staffordshire County Council, said: “If elected, I will recruit 250 more police officers and provide the staff and technology needed to keep Staffordshire safe. I will invest to prevent fires and accidents, support victims and to tackle addiction and domestic violence.
“My business experience of managing change and 15 years in politics across Staffordshire will help me bring councils, health, employers and schools together to prevent crime.
“Back me to address our mix of rural and urban priorities, recruit the Chief Constable and Fire Officer, manage the £250 million budget, keep council tax low and hold the services to account on your behalf.”
Michael Riley, Reform UK
Mr Riley said: “As both an ex-military and senior operational prison governor, I understand the intricate roles of both the police/fire service, to deliver their, and our wider public services.
“I have also managed contractual work on behalf of the Secretary of State in a private prison and hold all people to account, for the decisions, they make, using identified methods to ensure an efficient, effective strategy is delivered on behalf of the taxpayer.
“I believe the citizens of Staffordshire have a right to say how their police/fire services are delivered, through a proper county survey, and be heard.”
Deneice Florence-Jukes, Independent
Ms Florence-Jukes said: “Politics needs to be kept out of policing, that’s why I’m standing to be an independent commissioner. A commissioner is the voice of the public, not a voice controlled by a political party.
“I’m a committed public servant with careers in the Royal Air Force and Metropolitan Police Service. As a former police officer, I know how crime can damage communities and destroy people’s lives.
“The people of Staffordshire deserve to feel safe and protected in their homes and on the streets. I’ll adopt clear strategies to drive down crime and ensure everyone gets the service they’re paying for.”
How to cast your vote
There are a number of ways to have your say in the elections in May - you can vote in a polling station, by post, or by appointing someone you trust to vote on your behalf, which is known as a proxy vote. Voting by post means you don’t have to visit a polling station at all.
Anyone who is already registered to vote has until 5pm on Tuesday, April 20, to apply for a postal vote. Anyone who misses this deadline may be able to apply to vote by proxy. The deadline for applying for a proxy vote is 5pm on Tuesday, April 27, except for in a medical emergency.
Last minute proxy vote applications on grounds of medical emergency (such as having to self-isolate) or reason of employment, can be made until 5pm on Thursday, May 6.
The results of the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner will be announced on Friday, May 7, and borough and county votes will be declared on Saturday, May 8.
