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Hertfordshire Liberal DemocratsHave Six to Fix in Hertfordshire |
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Lib Dems set to confirm Police & Crime Commissioner candidate as concerns over publicity continue
July 16, 2012 10:14 PM
Ron Tindall is set to be confirmed as the Lib Dem candidate for Police & Crime Commissioner
Liberal Democrats are preparing for the election of the first Hertfordshire Police and Crime Commissioner on 15th November, with the candidate - Cllr Ron Tindall of Hemel Hempstead - set to be confirmed by members through an all-member ballot by mid-August.
Ron Tindall said: "I am delighted to be putting myself forward to be the Liberal Democrat candidate in this important election, which will determine who will supervise and guide Herts Constabulary over the next four years. I want to set out a distinctive, Liberal Democrat approach to policing. It is important to support local police teams, working in partnership with District Crime and Safety Partnerships. Victims, witnesses and young offenders need to be well served in the justice journey, with restorative justice a key element in both lowering re-offending rates and ensuring those who suffer crime feel they have been able to secure justice. The Police and Crime Commissioner will also have an opportunity with partners to add value to policing in Hertfordshire, and I hope to be able to argue for all of those things as the Lib Dem candidate in November."
One aspect of the election on 15th November which continues to cause concern, however, is the Home Secretary's rejection of the recommendations of the Electoral Commission. In its response to a Home Office consultation, the Electoral Commission notes (pdf; see para 3.3): "only providing information about PCC candidates on a central website will disproportionately affect groups that have low levels of internet access, such as the elderly and those who live in rural areas."
However,Teresa May MP has insisted that the manifestoes of the candidates will only be publicised on a government website, rather than through a paid-for freepost letter which is distributed for many other types of election.
Paul Zukowskyj, Chair of Hertfordshire Liberal Democrat co-ordinating committee, agreed: "Not having a freepost mailing will prevent some people from accessing information to help them make an important choice for Hertfordshire. It speaks volumes about the Conservatives' engagement with democracy: they still believe the only people allowed to vote should be those who can afford to. I'm disappointed they've taken this decision; it is a dangerous precedent to set."