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These elections are beyond farcical – ANOTHER PCC candidate is forced to step down

September 14, 2012 12:23 pm

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First there was the ridiculous case of Bob Ashford, who had Whitehall security clearance, but wasn’t able to stand as a PCC because of a 46 year old offence.

Then there was the equally crazy case of Alan Charles. He was vice chair of the regional police authority, but he stood down because of a 50 year old offence. Fortunately Alan was reinstated. 

At the point, I thought we’d finally turned the corner on PCC elections. But I was wrong.

But it has happened AGAIN. These PCC elections are beyond farcical.

Labour’s candidate in Lincolnshire Phil Dilks has been forced to step down over an “offence” from 44 years ago. Here’s how Phil describes it:

“Some 44 years ago, I was one of a group of lads on scooters visiting a mate in hospital. I believe it was in the school summer holidays in 1968 when I was 16. As we left the car park to go home, one of the lads stupidly picked up an old crash helmet that wasn’t his. We all went back to my family home to mess about as teenagers do. Unknown to me, the helmet was left in our garage. The police never found out who took it, but because it was found in our garage, I was charged with handling stolen goods.”

At the time Phil was a sunday school teacher. He was backed up by the local vicar. Phil has probably not thought about the events of 1968 for quite some time. Since then he has been a TA soldier for almost 20 years, an elected councillor for 17 years and member of Lincolnshire Police Authority for almost eight years.

Like Bob or Alan before him, Phil could be PM, but he can’t be a PCC.

What a farcical law that is. It should be overturned. But it’s already too late – these PCC elections are beyond farcical, and it’s quite hard to see how they can be taken seriously. How many more candidates must we lose before election day? And how much faith does anyone have in the elections themselves anymore?

Related posts:

  1. The farcical and tragic case of Bob Ashford
  2. First Bob, now Alan – change this farcical legislation NOW and let these candidates stand
  3. Finally, some common sense (but these PCC elections are still a farce)
  4. Miliband urges abolition of shadow cabinet elections
  5. One step closer to justice
  • http://twitter.com/KulganofCrydee Kulgan of Crydee

    Do we want people who have have been convicted of serious offences as the PCC? 
    Elected PCC are a bad idea from this Tory-Led Coalition.  This was proven as soon as political parties got involved. #PoliceImpartiality 

    • 1basildon2

      The key word there is serious.  None of the offences that caused candidates to be disbarred could in any way be conceived as serious.

  • http://twitter.com/garypepworth Gary Pepworth

    It would be a brave move, (something which most politicians are not noted for), but Labour should pull the plug on participating in these ridiculous elections.  We should not only refuse to field candidates but encourage a boycott at the ballot box. I realise a high profile Labour figure has his heart on being the ‘Sheriff’, but that is not reason enough for us to give legitimacy to this farce.
    As ever party managers are adding to the disillusion. Here in the SW rather than re-running the election, Labour rushed to fill the space left by Bob Ashford by appointing the person who wasn’t the choice of Labour members. Clearly lessons haven’t been learnt from the meddling that caused us to lose Ian White as our MEP.

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001102865655 John Ruddy

     I dont think any of the examples so far are “serious offences”. They wouldnt be reportable if the candidate was applying for a job, for instance – they are all spent.

    This election law goes beyond the normal requirements.

  • Ironknee

    I believe Police Commissioners are not a good idea and not wanted by the majority of people. The coalition government have forced this on us, I agree with Gary, Labour should withdraw from the election. But unfortunately this won’t happen as too many former and failed politicians want a bit of power and the salary that goes with the role.  I will not be taking part in the November elections and would fully support a boycott, or mass spoiling of papers to send a message that Police Commissioners are not needed or wanted.

  • http://twitter.com/waterwards dave stone

    Totally with you on pulling the plug – what is it with the high-ups, when it’s time to make a stand for our people out they come with the “I won’t say boo to a goose” act.

    And no way should “the person who wasn’t the choice of Labour members” be given the candidacy. That’s just plain wrong.

  • http://www.robbiescott.com/ Robbie Scott

    I think there ought to be some condemnation of Labour Party
    processes here. If there is a stupid law that we’re all aware of why is it our
    candidates keep having to stand down? Why can’t we simply do a CRB or
    background check on PCC candidates beforehand? When opening the panel only
    candidates who are cleared should be subject to election? I don’t see how this can be happening. 

  • http://www.robbiescott.com/ Robbie Scott

    I think there ought to be some condemnation of Labour Party
    processes here. If there is a stupid law that we’re all aware of why is it our
    candidates keep having to stand down? Why can’t we simply do a CRB or
    background check on PCC candidates beforehand? When opening the panel only
    candidates who are cleared should be subject to election? I don’t see how this can be happening. 

  • http://www.robbiescott.com/ Robbie Scott

    I think there ought to be some condemnation of Labour Party
    processes here. If there is a stupid law that we’re all aware of why is it our
    candidates keep having to stand down? Why can’t we simply do a CRB or
    background check on PCC candidates beforehand? When opening the panel only
    candidates who are cleared should be subject to election? I don’t see how this can be happening. 

  • http://www.robbiescott.com/ Robbie Scott

    I think there ought to be some condemnation of Labour Party
    processes here. If there is a stupid law that we’re all aware of why is it our
    candidates keep having to stand down? Why can’t we simply do a CRB or
    background check on PCC candidates beforehand? When opening the panel only
    candidates who are cleared should be subject to election? I don’t see how this can be happening. 

    • http://twitter.com/redrenie24 Renie Anjeh

      Agreed. We need more party reform. I think these people should be fastracked as candidates in marginal seats as a consolation for not being PCC candidate.

    • Simon Draper

      How would you background check someone who’s ‘offence’ is 40+ years ago? The records would be buried deep in some archive (if it was saved at all) CRB’ing someone is all good if you’re wanting to know about recent problems. But even then something minor that wasn’t recorded fully or was lost in the passage of time will not be shown. 

  • Chris Cheetham

    I could not get on the shortlist and I have no offences!!
     

  • telemachus

    I am appalled at these tales.
    It seems almost to be a witch hunt against the socialist candidates.
    Phil Dilks will do well . He is a born communicator. He should be reinstated

  • David Brede

    Has the issue of magistrates being denied the opportunity to be a candidate been resolved?

  • http://twitter.com/redrenie24 Renie Anjeh

    No because we should be representing the communities which we serve on every level. Even the Tories didn’t refuse to stand stand on the GLA, or for Mayor or for the Scottish Parliament.

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