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Turnout concerns for Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner election (From The Argus)
Get involved: Send your news, views, pictures and video by texting SUPIC to 80360 or email us.
Turnout concerns for Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner election
10:50am Tuesday 13th November 2012 in News By Ines M Klinesmith
George Wells, 20, supermarket worker from Brighton said:"I'm not aware of the election. I haven't received any information at all but I will probably be voting. See more views in our video vox pop
Just 40 per cent of the public polled in a survey by The Argus say they will vote in Thursday’s inaugural police commissioner election.
And a paltry one-in-six say they have received material through the post from the candidates.
By 4pm yesterday (November 13) 2,000 voted in the online poll at theargus.co.uk, with fewer than half claiming they would visit the ballot box on Thursday, November 15.
Home Secretary Theresa May has refused to set out a target turnout for the elections, but has said that 62% of the eligible population are aware of the voting.
Despite being the biggest shake-up of policing in 50 years, the elections for the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) might see a turnout as low as 10%.
Commissioners will make and influence key decisions, from spending on CCTV to how to tackle gang crime and drug-dealing.
Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper warned yesterday: “The Home Secretary cannot run away from her responsibility for turnout in these elections.
“Theresa May chose to hold these elections in November rather than May, causing confusion even among Tory MPs.”
Pick up a copy of The Argus each day this week for the latest news and analysis of Thursday’s Police and Crime Commissioner election.
In tomorrow's edition (Wednesday, November 14) candidates put their point across by answering questions on policing and justice.
See all The Argus Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner stories at: www.theargus.co.uk/news/special/policecommissioner
For breaking news from the count centre on Friday follow the live story on this website.
See the latest news headlines from The Argus:
- Brighton and Hove braces itself for another week of bin strikes as rubbish piles up
- Cyclists flout pavement ban just days after police crackdown on Brighton seafront
- Brighton and Hove City Council urged to let blue badge holders park for free
- Number of A&E patients in Sussex is rising
- Children in Brighton get new toys thanks to The Argus Appeal
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Comments(27)
made up
says...
11:26am Tue 13 Nov 12
The whole website is a joke and people will just end up voting based on their existing political allegiances.
leobrighton
says...
11:27am Tue 13 Nov 12
Most people don't want this election
Most people won't vote
The Argus poll is total rubbish a 40% turnout would be better than council elections and would be regarded as a good turnout. I won't be picking up a copy thank you
Indigatio
says...
11:33am Tue 13 Nov 12
Personally I don't agree with the PCC's. The old system worked, maybe not 100% but no system does. What they have now done is to politicise the Police. Most of the candidates are Party people and they will toe the Party line and therefore will not be independant.
I will be voting but I will be spoiling my ballot paper and I would urge everyone who doesn't agree with this election to do the same. Spoilt Ballot papers in great enough numbers will be noticed by Government a lot more than a low turnout.
Fight_Back
says...
11:54am Tue 13 Nov 12
So our choices are :
Tony Armstrong (UKIP) - political
Katy Bourne (Conservative) - political
Ian Chisnall (Independent) - religious nut case
Godfrey Daniel - political
David Rogers - political
Seriously, not one of these people is worth voting for. To make the police force even more of a political football than it is now is highly dangerous.
I'll not be voting and hopefully turnout will be in single figures.
Isaac Rinkfern
says...
12:09pm Tue 13 Nov 12
All of them seem obsessed with anti social behavior, rather than real crime.
The Tory bint is married to a banker, I thought that associating with criminals was frowned upon in police circles, I was obviously wrong, but then again all of them associate with politicians which amounts to the same thing.
Complete waste of time, but I'll pobably vote in order to try and keep the tory out.
mustaphaLeeko
says...
12:18pm Tue 13 Nov 12
"PCCs will be required to swear an oath of impartiality when they are elected to office."
Can any of the candidates explain why they all represent Political parties then?
Why are political parties rushing to have a candidate in this position.
What happened to ordinary people with no political axe to grind representing us rather than these glad handing bunch of nose in the trough politicians?
This election is a JOKE, and still 2 days before it, I have only received a single pamphlet through the door from a single candidate!
I would seriously doubt there will be any political independence or the oath will be upheld.
All my opinion of course, I'd like to be proven wrong.
clubrob6
says...
12:35pm Tue 13 Nov 12
ChrisDS
says...
1:04pm Tue 13 Nov 12
getThisCoalitionOut
says...
1:11pm Tue 13 Nov 12
When I contacted all the candidates about what they proposed to do about hunting in Sussex - as most of the hunters are breaking the law and getting away with it, which I am 100% against - only two bothered to reply - that was the independent guy, Ian, who said he'd be willing to meet anyone who wanted to meet him to discuss policing this further - not a 100% against stance but at least willing to meet and discuss and the UKIP guy who was totally non committal.
The others didn't bother to reply at all - but that is what I'd expect from con/lab/lib - so none of them are being voted for by me.
The independent guy is getting my vote and UKIP is my 2nd choice which is what I politically think is right too.
I think it's totally wrong to not vote at all because the conservative voters will all come out of the woodwork as usual and then the con will get in and that's wrong on every level - look at the mess the country is in now because the con's nearly got voted in - use your vote to keep those out that you really hate!
mimseycal
says...
1:35pm Tue 13 Nov 12
sosparty
says...
2:05pm Tue 13 Nov 12
There are only days to go until the Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner elections.
As an ex-Royal Military Policeman, with a strong passion for Law and Order, the job of PCC on a salary of ￡85,000, is my dream job.
I have doubts though. How can the Conservative party preach austerity one day but then introduce an unwanted scheme, costing millions to the tax-payer the next?
The government have acknowledged these elections are an experiment. There is even talk of dumping the role if a Labour government wins the next general election.
But its in this spirit of experimentation, that as a PCC, I want to experiment with ideas that have been talked about but never actioned.
PCC's can't change the Law, but they can prioritise the Law. I'd like to re-prioritise drugs and prostitution for example. Make them low priority, allowing the police to concentrate on more serious crimes. After all the average voter isn't bothered about drugs and prostitution. We know this from the Neighbourhood Watch Scheme survey.
I am the only candidate who has made police corruption an election issue. The other candidates are burying their heads in the sand. You only have to search Google and a world of rumour and accusations about Sussex police corruption is revealed.
Its ironic because I am the best person for the job but my name isn't on the ballot papers because I never handed over £5000 for the privilege. But I'm not going to let stupid bureaucracy stand in my way of my dream job.
Check out my website at www.sosparty.co.uk and exercise your right to push the boundaries of democracy. With Guerrilla Democracy, I beg all voters to spoil your ballots papers by writing SOS on it; Democracy made easy.
Crystal Ball
says...
2:07pm Tue 13 Nov 12
People had the opportunity to vote but chose not to take it therefore they have no cause to complain.
Fight_Back
says...
2:18pm Tue 13 Nov 12
Crystal Ball wrote:Rubbish - so I should be forced to vote for someone, despite the fact I don't think any of the candidates are suitable, just so I have the right to complain ???
It will be interesting to read the whinger's comments when a candidate is elected and potentially not popular etc.
People had the opportunity to vote but chose not to take it therefore they have no cause to complain.
There is nobody I want to vote for - they are all equally poor and the principle is wrong anyway.
mimseycal
says...
2:20pm Tue 13 Nov 12
Informed decision making has been hampered by the scarcity of information.
Crystal Ball
says...
2:46pm Tue 13 Nov 12
Fight_Back wrote:Perhaps you would like to move to Zimbabwe and take part in an election there?
Crystal Ball wrote:Rubbish - so I should be forced to vote for someone, despite the fact I don't think any of the candidates are suitable, just so I have the right to complain ???
It will be interesting to read the whinger's comments when a candidate is elected and potentially not popular etc.
People had the opportunity to vote but chose not to take it therefore they have no cause to complain.
There is nobody I want to vote for - they are all equally poor and the principle is wrong anyway.
Will's blog
says...
3:20pm Tue 13 Nov 12
clubrob6
says...
3:32pm Tue 13 Nov 12
Fight_Back
says...
7:06pm Tue 13 Nov 12
Crystal Ball wrote:That's quite a leap - I object to politicians running the police, comment on how poor ALL the candidates are an that I feel disinclined to vote for any of them and somehow it suggests I want rigged elections and opposition beaten up and even killed. You must have been a real roar at the school debating society.
Fight_Back wrote:Perhaps you would like to move to Zimbabwe and take part in an election there?
Crystal Ball wrote:Rubbish - so I should be forced to vote for someone, despite the fact I don't think any of the candidates are suitable, just so I have the right to complain ???
It will be interesting to read the whinger's comments when a candidate is elected and potentially not popular etc.
People had the opportunity to vote but chose not to take it therefore they have no cause to complain.
There is nobody I want to vote for - they are all equally poor and the principle is wrong anyway.
Hove Actually
says...
11:10pm Tue 13 Nov 12
NONE of the above.............
Variable
says...
8:43am Wed 14 Nov 12
Chieftain11
says...
9:02am Wed 14 Nov 12
2nd reason for me not to vote: Nobody has a clue what the true cost is for the PCC, DPP, pensions and support staff.
3rd reason for me not to vote: We have no idea how the DPCC will be selected. It appears the PCC can pick who he or she wants. In other words, the political parties will select their man or woman as they put the £5, 000 deposit up for their candidate.
4th reason for me not to vote: The PCC can delegate full powers to the DPCC. In other words, a person we have never heard of.
5th reason for me not to vote: This is just another expensive layer of unwanted and expensive management.
You guessed, I will certainly not be voting.
Nosfaratu
says...
10:28am Wed 14 Nov 12
Will's blog wrote:Who, What, When, Where.
I think Katy Bourne is quite good really. I heard her speak and she was full of enthusiasm and energy.
Why do the Argus always ask dotty old biddies or neanderthal supermarket workers for their opinion when they dont even know what day it is.
Not that I have recieved any useful information on the candidates, only that I have no idea where they came from, Mars probably.
Why cant we have a' X' Factor or 'Britians Got Talent' style election. At least it would be fairly entertaining.
Now we are going to get a no-body. Its too - 'Orwellian'. Big Brother will soon replace these no-bodies with political, yes men/women.
Nosfaratu
says...
10:36am Wed 14 Nov 12
sosparty wrote:Gosh! for an Ex- Headhunter you certainly have put your cat among the pigeons.
VOTE FOR MATT TAYLOR ON 15th NOVEMBER There are only days to go until the Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner elections. As an ex-Royal Military Policeman, with a strong passion for Law and Order, the job of PCC on a salary of ￡85,000, is my dream job. I have doubts though. How can the Conservative party preach austerity one day but then introduce an unwanted scheme, costing millions to the tax-payer the next? The government have acknowledged these elections are an experiment. There is even talk of dumping the role if a Labour government wins the next general election. But its in this spirit of experimentation, that as a PCC, I want to experiment with ideas that have been talked about but never actioned. PCC's can't change the Law, but they can prioritise the Law. I'd like to re-prioritise drugs and prostitution for example. Make them low priority, allowing the police to concentrate on more serious crimes. After all the average voter isn't bothered about drugs and prostitution. We know this from the Neighbourhood Watch Scheme survey. I am the only candidate who has made police corruption an election issue. The other candidates are burying their heads in the sand. You only have to search Google and a world of rumour and accusations about Sussex police corruption is revealed. Its ironic because I am the best person for the job but my name isn't on the ballot papers because I never handed over £5000 for the privilege. But I'm not going to let stupid bureaucracy stand in my way of my dream job. Check out my website at www.sosparty.co.uk and exercise your right to push the boundaries of democracy. With Guerrilla Democracy, I beg all voters to spoil your ballots papers by writing SOS on it; Democracy made easy.
Sorry, but if you dont have £5000 of somebodies elses money to stand for election and are as anonymous as the rest. Retire
Nosfaratu
says...
11:22am Wed 14 Nov 12
Fight_Back wrote:That would be the School 'Be-Heading' Society.
Crystal Ball wrote:That's quite a leap - I object to politicians running the police, comment on how poor ALL the candidates are an that I feel disinclined to vote for any of them and somehow it suggests I want rigged elections and opposition beaten up and even killed. You must have been a real roar at the school debating society.Fight_Back wrote:Perhaps you would like to move to Zimbabwe and take part in an election there?Crystal Ball wrote: It will be interesting to read the whinger's comments when a candidate is elected and potentially not popular etc. People had the opportunity to vote but chose not to take it therefore they have no cause to complain.Rubbish - so I should be forced to vote for someone, despite the fact I don't think any of the candidates are suitable, just so I have the right to complain ??? There is nobody I want to vote for - they are all equally poor and the principle is wrong anyway.
AngelicDevil
says...
10:24pm Wed 14 Nov 12
Impartial candidates?! You're having a laugh!
mimseycal
says...
10:55pm Wed 14 Nov 12
sbiscorrupt says...
11:00am Tue 13 Nov 12
Maybe then the politicians will finally realise they have no mandate for ruining the lives of the majority of people...
This charade means nothing...
The police will still carry on in the same oppressive way, but politicians will try and claim they have a 'public mandate' to do so...
Just say no and stay away from the polling booths!