Recently on October 21st Lord Ian Blair, former Chief Constable of the Metropolitan Police, stated that he opposed the imminent abolition of Police Authorities and their replacement by Police and Crime Commissioners.
Plaid Cymru (in Llanelli) agrees with Lord Blair that it is not possible for a single Commissioner to represent a large region such as Dyfed-Powys (more than half the area of Wales) anywhere near as effectively as the current Police Authority of 19 members – 10 of whom are elected County Councillors.
Sean Rees, Plaid Llanelli Communications Officer said:
“At a time when frontline policing faces severe cuts, a large amount of money has been spent on this election. This is not including the £65,000 salary attached for the elected commissioner.”
“As a result, Plaid will play no part in supporting this election; however we remain committed to the welfare and safety of our communities. We believe that our Police force should be run by experienced professionals not elected members with an agenda to serve their own party’s interests”.
Rhydwyn Ifan, Plaid Llanelli Constituency Secretary added:
“The first Commissioner elections, to be held on Thursday, November 15th in Wales and England, will elect 41 individuals having significant dictatorial powers. Almost three-quarters of the 200 candidates in the two countries are party political, with both Labour and the Conservatives fielding candidates in all 41 elections.”
“This will undoubtedly result in the widespread “politicising” of the police, a development that Plaid Cymru strongly opposes and is the main reason why Plaid has not fielded any candidates in the elections in Wales. “
“Scotland and Northern Ireland are exempt from this foolish and unwelcome upheaval perpetrated by the Westminster Government because their Police Services have been devolved and are controlled by their own governments in Edinburgh and Belfast. The sooner control of the 4 Police Services in Wales is devolved to the Welsh Senedd in Cardiff the better.”
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