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Finally, some common sense (but these PCC elections are still a farce)

August 14, 2012 5:00 pm

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Last week saw the ridiculous case of Bob Ashford, which was them further compunded by the baffling and equally ridiculous case of Alan Charles. Both men – excellent candidates to be amongst the first Police and Crime Commissioners – were forced to stand down after it became clear that “crimes” commited half a century ago would could against them.

Finally today there has been an outbreak of common sense – Alan Charles has been reinstated as Labour’s candidate in Derbyshire, after it became clear that he is, in fact, eligable to stand (I said it was common sense. I didn’t say it was the end of the farce). Thanks are certainly owed to everyone who battled both in public and behind the scenes on Alan’s behalf. A party spokesperson said today:

“Due to a distinct lack of clarity from the Home Office we have sought further legal advice on behalf of Alan Charles, and it has become clear that he is eligible to become a Police and Crime Commissioner candidate.

“Therefore, Alan Charles is Labour candidate for PCC in Derbyshire, continuing Labour’s campaign against the Tory-led Government’s huge cuts to the police and reckless changes on crime and community safety.

“The Labour Party has written to the Home Office calling for them to urgently provide more information and much greater clarity on the interpretation of their legislation for all involved in these elections. Currently the Home Office appears to be embarrassed by their own law.”

Sadly it seems that there will be no such reprieve for Bob Ashford – but even if there could be, the Labour Party hurriedly replaced him as candidate whilst the anger and incomprehsnsion at Bob’s resignation was still sinking in.

The PCC elections are beginning to look more and more of a mess with each passing day. Today the Police Minister couldn’t/wouldn’t even say what a satisfactory turnout in November’s elections could be – presumably because the number he probably has in mind would be tiny to avoid ridicule, and even then it might not be met.

But at least Alan is allowed to stand. That’s a positive at least, in an election which is going from bad, to farce…

Related posts:

  1. The 50% tax rate: common sense not class war
  2. Shock horror – the government has released a common sense document
  3. First Bob, now Alan – change this farcical legislation NOW and let these candidates stand
  4. PCC Elections: how will Labour perform?
  5. PCC elections: Pulling out all the stops
  • Derbyshire Labour Member

    Even if the legal challenges have been overcome, the political ones have not. Has this whole episode not damaged Alan Charles? (will marginal voters vote for a candidate who has been guilty of an imprisonable offence?) Has it not weakened his campaign to become PCC? Won’t the Tories capitalise on the mess and on Charles’s past transgressions? Has it not brought embarrassment upon the Party in Derbyshire? I think a new, clean candidate is, politically, the right thing to have. Limit the damage and start again.

    • Dahbuildingservices

      Don’t think it has weakened his campaign at all. The only damage is to the reputation of the so called lawmakers who passed so obviously flawed legislation. Public sympathy clearly on the side of Bob Ashton and Alan Charles, which is why there has been such a rapid response condemning the policy.

      • Britishgigolo

        Why is dahbuildingservices allowed to advertise his business?

        • MonkeyBot5000

           The same reason that you’re allowed to advertise yours.

          • Britishgigolo

            I probably enjoy my work better though.

      • Derbyshire Labour Member

        Charles should have considered his eligibility far sooner than this. Incompetence by him for letting it get played out in the media like it has. Could have been sorted out months ago. Now it’s come out in public that he was found guilty of theft is something that will harm him image, especially to be a candidate for running the police! To say otherwise is bizarre. 

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Mike-Homfray/510980099 Mike Homfray

    If people won’t vote for a candidate because of something minor enough to mean a conditional discharge at the age of 14, then more fool them.

    The rules should be exactly the same as for MP’s

    However, we should announce NOW that these are one term only jobs and that they will go once we are elected

    • Derbyshire Labour Member

      Being found guilty of theft is not something that should or will be brushed aside. I do think many voters will see him differently and it harms his credibility as a candidate for a post that takes charge of the Police. 

  • Jonny Plymouth

    I’m not a PCC candidate, and I hereby declare my future ineligibility for having broken a henhouse window 34 years ago.

  • HelloJohn

    Would it not be cheaper to have one police force?
    Then only one PCC. My votes for Prince Charles. At least he has never done anything wrong. when he has finished his eldest could take over no more expensive elections again and no chance of getting that blond bombshell, you know who I mean the Frankie Howard of politics.
    Could we name the new force Bee Gees for Service. Police Farce for short.
    You could not make it up. Titter yea not. Please yourselves.
    I vote for more police not less. As the population increases we should have more police. A bigger fraud squad to look into the financial sector would be a start. The policing of the Olympics was wonderful. More like that please. And don’t forget to vote that Charley, no not him, that prince bloke formally known as the prince of whales.you know really.

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