Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner candidates named (From The Argus)

I would just take this opportunity to mention another example of my pet hate - cyclists who go through red lights. Last night, after 6pm, in the dark, a cyclist travelling westbound went through a red light at the Hove Park Tavern traffic light and was almost hit by an articulated lorry. Fortunately for both, the driver saw the jerk on a bike and stopped.

Just what makes these people do that?! I wouldn't do it in a car, and I'm safer in a car than on a bike!

I don't get these people.

Martin Richards in the one of the best CC's we have ever had,and the most human.

Why the hell are we paying for someone £85k to oversee him,what a waste of money,Sussex is not New York City.

The candidate will not know what the hell they are doing for the first year.
Walking around police stations and custody suites,with senior cops brown nosing/hob knobbing endless cups of tea etc etc with the Crime Commissioner taking more cops away from the work they already have to do.

(And also a driver to run him/her around....more expense)

If anyone is wondering I am not a cop !

I understand that at times it's a necessary evil, but I HATE the way every candidate in every local election has to have a party label. This will be another election that will be used simply as a glorified opinion poll.

Anyway I'm Labour and I don't like the Conservatives so I shall be voting for Godfrey Daniel not Katy Bourne - even though I know nothing about either of them and I haven't a clue who will make the best Commissioner.

Couldn't we have Bill Nighy as the Police Commissioner in Hot Fuzz too? I would vote for him!

What a sad reflection on the so called non-political status of the post. Of the five candidates only one isn't associated with a political party.

Well ... not much choice there then is there ;)

mimseycal wrote:
What a sad reflection on the so called non-political status of the post. Of the five candidates only one isn't associated with a political party.

Well ... not much choice there then is there ;)

Right on mimsy!!

Dont Vote! with such a low turnout they may ditch the stupid idea anyway

Jimmy Stewart's Imaginary Rabbit wrote:
I understand that at times it's a necessary evil, but I HATE the way every candidate in every local election has to have a party label. This will be another election that will be used simply as a glorified opinion poll.

Anyway I'm Labour and I don't like the Conservatives so I shall be voting for Godfrey Daniel not Katy Bourne - even though I know nothing about either of them and I haven't a clue who will make the best Commissioner.

Why vote in such a farcical process then ? I'm not even going to make the effort to spoil my ballot paper - I'm sure I can find a far more worthwhile thing to do at home like lick the cat.

Chisnall is really the Green candidate -they are funding him and will be canvassing for him.

Just what we need, a politically motivated Commissar of Police. Instead of the SPA, which was democratic and didn't let one persons view rule over everyone else. We will now have a Dictator who can do what they like. Who oversees them?

peebee9 wrote:
Just what we need, a politically motivated Commissar of Police. Instead of the SPA, which was democratic and didn't let one persons view rule over everyone else. We will now have a Dictator who can do what they like. Who oversees them?

Well ... let us see. Sucessful candidates will be required to take an oath:

Police and crime commissioner oath

"Full Name of Place do solemnly and sincerely promise that I will serve all the people of Police Force Area in the office of police and crime commissioner without fear or favour.

I will act with integrity and diligence in my role and, to the best of my ability, will execute the duties of my office to ensure that the police are able to cut crime and protect the public.

I will give a voice to the public, especially victims of crime and work with other services to ensure the safety of the community and effective criminal justice.

I will take all steps within my power to ensure transparency of my decisions, so that I may be properly held to account by the public.

I will not seek to influence or prevent any lawful and reasonable investigation or arrest, nor encourage any police action save that which is lawful and justified within the bounds of this office."

It looks like it is you and me and the rest of us hoi polloi ... though not clear how that is to be accomplished.

In reality, just another £85,000 a year on window dressing ;(

Don't forget me, the unofficial Sussex Police and Crime candidate, Matt Taylor.
I am appealing for voters to register their vote for me by spoiling their ballot papers by writing SOS on it.

I recommend everyone reads Scrapper Duncan's blog. He's interviewed the leading three candidates and has come to the same conclusion as I.
You can also read my expert opinion of the leading three candidates on my blog. Aboutmatttaylor.blog

Some of my YouTube videos, under the name ggm11, are about Sussex Police Authority. Of particular relevance here are "Sussex Police Authority in Cloud-Cuckoo Land", featuring Mr Rogers, and "Sussex Police Hospitality & Gifts Register", featuring Mr Daniel. An official report on the Authority which is being replaced is the subject of "Report on Sussex Police Authority".

FROM THAT MATT TAYLOR BLOG....

So, lets start with the delightful, KATY BOURNE.

God forbid she gets the job. As I said publicly in the Hustings at Battle in Sussex.

“I would be so disappointed if Mrs Bourne wins Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner election.

Its got nothing to do with her personally. She's a wonderful woman, successful in business and a loving mother.

What upsets me is that without the Conservative political machine behind her, Mrs Bourne is actually less qualified to do the job than I am.

We are both passionate about politics. We are both successful in business. She may be older, but we can both recount stories of sitting on our parent's knee, getting political lessons which have moulded our political thinking until today.

It should be about the three i's, Integrity, Intelligence and Independence.

I hate to think that the Sussex voters are brain-washed sheep. But it seems as though they will blindly vote for a Conservative candidate regardless of the candidate's competence to do the job.

It's as if they've forgotten why they vote Tory in the first place, they just do....

So if Mrs Bourne is voted PCC, it'll be a disgusting perversion of democracy in Sussex.”

We know from an article Katy wrote for the Independent Newspaper on 3 December 2009, that she wanted to be the MP for Suffolk. Alas, she wasn't selected and as a result vowed to carry on and try, try, try again.

I get the impression its all about POWER for Mrs Bourne. She doesn't care what the role is, whether its as a Member of Parliament or as Police and Crime Commissioner. The idea of being a woman in power is all the motivation she needs to carry on.

I'd feel sorry for any Chief Constable who's unfortunate enough to be landed with her. In her own words she says she'll be in his office asking 'Why?' Why hasn't crime fallen? Why hasn't this or that been done? Why Chief Constable, why?

I for one hate that approach. I'd rather ask, how I can help?

I'm not the only one who feels the same way. An ex-barrister called Duncan Roy interviewed her for his blog and he feels the same way as I do. Namely to spoil your ballot paper, rather than vote for her.

But before you do so, lets move onto GODFREY DANIEL.


from my own experience, I just see an old man trying to recapture past glories.

He's on the Sussex Police Authority, the very same organisation which the Police and Crime Commissioner office is being brought in to replace. He's been a Hasting councillor and a magistrate.

To illustrate his unsuitability, I want to bring to your attention a news story from the Bognor Regis Observer.

As it reports; Godfrey visited Bognor to discuss the problem of street drinking. And here is a response posted in the comment's section, by a commentator called 'Kingzog.'

“As a Labour councillor in Hastings over the past 20 years or so, Mr Daniel has made such a good job of controlling street drinking that we now have a large contingent of junkies and alcoholics in the centre of St. Leonard's openly drinking and drug dealing. Very rarely do we see any patrolling police and rarely do we see clean pavements.”

“Really”, I thought, and as I said to his face during a Hustings at Arundel, “How do you expect to deal with Sussex Police and when can't even deal with street drinkers in Hasting?”

Mr Daniel boasts of his talent for town planning. He says he likes 'Rules' and believes he's got the character to be a fair and competent Commissioner. But I don't think so....

God help any of the poor souls who found themselves before him in his capacity as Magistrate. He's one of those guys who will enforce a rule whether he believes in the rule or not.

Like Katy Bourne claiming a right to be Police and Crime Commissioner because of her business skills, Godfrey Daniel is claiming a right to be Police and Crime Commissioner because he's a good town planner. Both are kidding themselves if they think they'll make good Police and Crime Commissioners.

Which brings us nicely onto IAN CHISNALL.


As a Street Pastor, he does a fantastic job caring for the less fortunate in society. He feeds the hungry and warms the cold. He clothes the naked and heals the sick. He wears sandals and prays. In another time and in another place, a crown of thorns would have been placed on his head...

I'm sure his voice will always be heard in Sussex Police and his contribution to the under-belly of Brighton's street-life is massive and commendable.

Its a shame he denies any corruption in Sussex Police and it's a shame he has connections with Common Purpose.

I'd otherwise consider voting for him.

As a conspiracy theorist and proud of it, anyone with a connection with Common Purpose rings alarm bells.

Nick Herbert has a lot to answer for introducing this post where not a single worthy candidate is standing. A board of over twenty qualified people is to be replaced by a single failed politician. How does this increase accountability?

I truly hope the next Government, whoever they happen to be, get rid of this post since every other political party opposed it's introduction. But will they be able to resist the temptation have have political control over the police?

All we will hear is sound bites and rhetoric about being tough on crime at a time when police cuts mean they are becoming increasingly unable to be effective.

@D360....well said.

This is an interesting comment I found on Indymedia:

A weapon called The Word.
20.10.2012 09:30

This so called democratic election is a total farce and not what it purports to be. In view of the restrictions on who can stand, the probability is that an establishment whore will be elected by a fraudulent process.

Elections are rigged in the UK. Apart from those where there is fraud by postal votes, other elections have been "tampered with" to deliver what those in power want to achieve. An example is the vote for the election of the Welsh devolution. The majority of the voters said no to this but the results were fiddled to deliver what Tony Bliar wanted.

The democratic process is a sham to make people think there is choice.

In the case of the Police Commissioner elections, don't forget that these officials, when elected, will be paid significant amounts of public money. They should be accountable to us all but will serve their masters.

Levelling the Land...guerilla time.
Brighton Eye

I suggest spoiling the ballot paper - that will show that actually can be bothered to spend some time and effort following a democratic process, but that yuou are opposed to this farcical event.

Today Parking Meters...TOMORROW THE WORLD!