Police commissioner elections: I'm spoiling my paper

I am also spoiling mine. This means I am an active citizen, as noone gives a toss what the non-voters believe/care/think, and I shall be able to write my opinion on the paper, the only time I remember being asked about commissioners.
Only a politician would think adding politics to policing would make it better. Everyone else thinks politicians are liars, thieves and twats

I am also spoiling mine. This means I am an active citizen, as noone gives a toss what the non-voters believe/care/think, and I shall be able to write my opinion on the paper, the only time I remember being asked about commissioners.
Only a politician would think adding politics to policing would make it better. Everyone else thinks politicians are liars, thieves and twats

"
Policing is already a political football when it should be serving the community."

this is true. however the commisioners system doesn't work all that well for the US, does it?

Policing is already a political football when it should be serving the community. We're the community...

You can spoil you papers but you will still have an elected police commissioner. Only you will not have helped select her.

If you want to protest the system, write to your MP.

i would vote against having a vote on this.

policing shouldn't be a political football.

I don't think spoiling your paper will make any difference compared to staying at home, really. I'd be very surprised if there was a majority of spoilt papers anywhere, so it will basically be a wasted opportunity. It shouldn't be too hard to find out some basic information on the internet and then make a decision based on that, if only to keep out those you like the least.

One independent candidate put a leaflet through my door but my understanding is that it's supposed to be internet-only.

I have plenty of thoughts on the whole issue . However , seeing as I have been forbidden to share them , I will have to keep my opinions to myself .

And you know what always makes things more fair and accountable - introducing party politics!

"I don't want the whole system. I don't want to contribute to it."

Do you believe the police are accountable via the current system? I don't.

I'm tempted to vote for the independent candidate for 2 reasons:

1. To avoid political parties feeling like this is a route their high-fliers can take
2. Because she's the only candidate who has bothered to put a leaflet through my door/put posters up locally.

www.womensaid.org.uk/domestic-violence-articles.asp?section=00010001002200400001&sectionTitle=Articles%3A+police&itemid=2917

www.endviolenceagainstwomen.org.uk/data/files/PCCs_Welsh_Womens_Aid_Manifesto_FINAL.pdf

Maybe we could get an online campaign going about DV & police commissioners?

What I don't understand is why the candidates are political party affiliates. I'm not against the principle of elected police commissioners per se, but why can't we vote for police commissioners who are all independent and who stand on their own agendas for doing the job?

Or have I missed something fundamental?

My understanding was that there was only going to be online publicity for candidates although I have seen billboard posters for an independant candidate.

I'm going to vote because the BNP / Tory / UKIP supporters will be out like a rash round our way, so it will help to dilute their vote if nothing else. We have a BNP councillor in a village near us, so there is a possibility of us getting some right wing headcase, however limited their powers.

I found out who my candidates were, read up on them all, discovered one has being doing work for years with survivors of Domestic Abuse, and has promised to recruit more DA Advisors, so have chosen to vote for him.

This is a good website HERE that is very informative.

I understand it, but don't think that a spoiled vote is agood idea, God knows who might get in then.

I found out who my candidates were and have gone to speak to all of them. I now know who I am voting for.

Hmm, I'm unsure - like others, I've considered not voting, and considered spoiling my ballot.

It's actually very easy to find out who your candidates are though - www.policeelections.com - you enter you postcode and it brings them up.

We have only had one flyer through the door. if they were that bothered surely they should promote themselves bettter?

I haven't decided what to do yet.

Decisions are made by the ones who show up. Spoiling your paper won't stop there being a police commissioner in your area. If you don't use your vote, then the people who do will make the choice without you.

Given that police chiefs have presided over some massive cover-ups and cock-ups in recent years is no-one even slightly suspicious that they might have a vested interest in making sure this initiative fails at the first hurdle? Worried about what the new commissioners will do when they have the mandate of the electorate to start shining lights into skeleton-filled closets....?

If you don't know the candidates, make an effort to find out who they are.