Political Crossfire Forums

It's been a little while since I was on pcf, but have no fear, I am back with my with my incredibly good looks and insightful wisdom to spread to all pcfers.

On a more serious note, police commissioners, really?

What a waste of time and money and by the terrible turnout it seems most of Britain agrees. Why have they decided to politicise the police force? Coupled with the heavy erosion of free speech, I'm worried I'll be arrested for saying something that's not in line with the party's goals.

Any thoughts?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-20352539

To be fair the Corby by-election didn't even manage a 45% turnout and that was trumpeted by the media as being 'vital', so I think the low turn-outs are to be expected. At the moment none of the parties appear to have the first clue as to what they are going to do about anything so I can see why people are uninspired.

You could see the police elections as the police force actually being made accountable to the people they are supposed to serve and protect. Which would be a good thing if it could be made to happen.

However being sent a ballot paper consisting of the usual political parties is not going to make people take it seriously as anything more than political nonsense. Political parties should be banned from the police commissioner elections - actually ban them from anything other than general and national assembly elections.

The victorious Labour candidate said it was hugely significant because it was the first time in fifteen years that a Labour candidate had won a Conservative held seat at a by-election.

He neglected to mention that for thirteen of those fifteen years the Conservative party did not hold any seats that were not safe seats, and this is the first by election in a Tory held seat in the two years since they took office.

Pretty sure Dobby and Boris posted at similar times on the old forum. No discernible pattern.

TBH, at this point in a parliament, it would be more unusual to retain a marginal seat for the governing party.

Especially in tough economic times. I'm sure some deep analysis will go on at central office, but ultimately, this isn't a major concern.