Green Party members in Dorset County will be balloted from 23rd-30th March on selection of a candidate to fight the Dorset Police & Crime Commissioner (PCC) election.
If Green members vote to select a candidate, it will be the first time that the Green Party has contested a Dorset PCC election.
There will be one nominee on the ballot, Claire Seymour. This means there will be two voting options in the internal members’ ballot – Claire Seymour, and Re-Open Nominations (RON). The ballot is in effect a yes/no vote for Green members on the ratification of the unopposed nominee as candidate.
Here is more information about both voting options that will be put to Green Party members in an electronic ballot (via email) from 23rd March:
Claire Seymour
Claire Seymour has stated on her nomination form regarding her suitability for the role:
“I currently work as an Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) Service Manager for a large housing association in the South West of England which encompasses risk management and mitigation at a local level. I lead a team of ASB officers across regions in offering solutions and guidance to colleagues, customers, stakeholders and communities to resolve complex cases, ensuring safeguarding is a priority and to deliver community safety strategies. The role requires me to evaluate, mitigate risks to individuals and / or the community, to ensure all enforcement, both non-legal and legal have been utilised correctly whilst considering protected characteristics under the Equality Act and Human Rights laws to ensure no one is disadvantaged.
“In order to be effective in this role, I rely upon strong leadership skills, negotiation and interpersonal qualities. I work on those skills to influence, encourage and empower others to bring about change which is crucial when dealing with a variety of external agencies. I have come to understand the fundamental need for collaboration between those agencies as part of a multiagency response for risk reduction and mitigation within communities.
On why should be selected, Claire states:
“I went straight into the financial industry from college and quickly realised I needed to align my career and my passion for community work. As a result, I decided to go back to higher education and, whilst continuing to work to fund my studies, I graduated with a BSc Honours in Public Service from Plymouth University.
“Since then, I have developed a career built around communities, working for a large housing association. I have been the Regional Anti-Social Behaviour Manager (ASB) covering the Dorset, Hampshire, Berkshire, and Surrey regions for the last 8 years. This is a specialist ASB service which work closely with our partners across the Police, the NHS, local authorities, social services, fire service, probation services and charities to keep communities safe.
“Through our partnership work, we utilise our tools and powers to combat high impact ASB such as (this list is not exhaustive) county lines, exploitation, physical violence, all forms of domestic abuse, drug dealing and hate crime.
“Over the last 15 years I have also volunteered and gained valuable experience with Victim Support, Hampshire Police as a Police Special Constable for 5 years, Dorset Police as a Media Tone Analyst and I currently sit on one of the Dorset’s Police and Crime Commissioner’s Scrutiny Panels, Hampshire Safeguarding Adults Board, South West Domestic Abuse Forum and Dorset’s Domestic Abuse Forum.
“I stepped into the position, as the BCP (Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole) Green Party Police and Crime Spokesperson, as it’s my priority to work to influence local and national policy.
“I want to utilise my skills and knowledge in this area to support and represent the local community. By listening and taking action. I’m here to help drive forward improvements that can make a real impact on keeping our area a safe place to live.”
Re-Open Nominations (RON)
Originating from students’ union elections, Re-Open Nominations – affectionately known as “RON” – is an option in every internal Green Party election/selection ballot. This means that even unopposed nominees routinely need to convince Green Party members they are the best option for the role.
Green Party members have the option of voting for Re-Open Nominations if they do not agree Claire Seymour should be selected as Green candidate for the Dorset PCC election.
If more Green Party members in Dorset vote for RON in this selection ballot than for Claire Seymour, no candidate will be selected. Green Party officials in Dorset would take advice from the regional and/or national Green Party on a process for re-opening nominations, for a repeat selection ballot to take place before the legal nominations deadline for this election of 8th April.
The choice will be down to Green Party members in Dorset, with e-voting instructions due to be emailed on 23rd March, and the result due to announced on 31st March.
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