The Green Party has announced that it opposes the concept of police commissioners and will not be standing a candidate in the election of a Police Commissioner for Dorset on November 15th. At present, policing is not part of the British electoral system. Instead it is monitored and supervised at arm’s length by a cross party committee of elected members, meaning that no one political party controls the police. The Greens believe that this is a far better approach than the election of a single, political commissioner, which has been introduced by the Conservative-led coalition government. It seems that millions of pounds will be spent around the country on these elections merely to produce a much worse system than we have at present. Peter Barton, chair of the West and South Dorset Green Party said, “The idea of an elected Commissioner is a big mistake. This blatant politicisation of the police will be bad for the force, bad for the community and bad for democracy, so we believe it’s wrong to ask a Green candidate or Green voters to take part in it.” He added “To put the control of Dorset Police into the hands of a single politician from a single political party is a grave error of judgement by this Government. It is also an expensive distraction from issues of far greater importance to the public such as the appalling cuts being made to our public services. Turnout is likely to be very low and the democratic credentials of such a contest are dubious given that a £5,000 deposit is required; returnable only if the candidate gains 5% or more of the vote.”
Julian Jones 01308-428275
