Alistair Cameron bids to become new police and crime commissioner

“I would like to respond to the query from GL52 Resident about my views on the Police and Crime Panels (PCPs). I welcome the establishment of PCPs as they are an important part of the accountability for Police and Crime Commissioners. They are appointed by local councils. As GL52 Resident indicates they have significant powers (eg to compel PCCs to attend meetings with them and on a two-thirds majority to veto a PCC's precept or choice of chief constable). It is therefore imperative for the PCC to establish a good working relationship with the Police and Crime Panels.

Alistair Cameron
Prospective Liberal Democrat Candidate for Police and Crime Commissioner”

“Wow, a BBC blog that's actually open to comment. I wonder how long it will remain so?

Many people, I'm sure, are indeed 'ignorant of what police commissioner actually does', but if a political candidate wins, there will always be suspicions it was down to 'pig in a blue/red rosette' syndrome. Or, in the case of a yellow rosette, a miracle...”

“by eyeopener

Thursday, September 27 2012, 4:32PM

"@Ysedra "Parachuted in"? Does that happen with all party political candidates? Of course not. I haven't backed any particular candidate although I would find one that puts the county's needs first, and would not impose cuts more appealing.

"Parachuted in"? is simply a rather dramatic sounding red herring. This isn't Agatha Christie and not all discussions about the police need red herrings."

Suit yourself. I find the suggestion that any chief constable in recent memory has been 'outstanding' to be not just dramatic but plain inaccurate, however that's just my opinion (an opinion that will probably be rated rather than reasoned against for the most part).

In my book, 'parachuted in' just describes the act of selecting a candidate from outside the area for reasons that aren't clear to the electorate, although a better prospect of winning has to be a leading possibility. No drama, so calm down, dear ;-)”

“@ joholly if we must have police commissioners, then I stand by my earlier comments. That said Gloucestershire has already lost one outstandinf Chief Constable over the issue. Mark Easton of the BBC's blog http://tinyurl.com/d4pf282 is quite interesting and states that the Electoral Reform Society (ERS), along with 20 PCC candidates, has now written to the Home Secretary Theresa May warning of an impending disaster.

The ERS projected that only 18.5% of voters would participate.

The ERS also observed that "The PCC areas are huge. Some commissioners will represent the interests of millions of people - an electorate far greater than any MP. If turn-out really is as low as predicted, what does it mean for democratic legitimacy? In a tight vote, some candidates may claim a mandate based on support from less than one in 10 of the local population."

Read the blog in full. These are just a few of many troubling facts surrounding the election of police commissioners.”

“What a complete waste of public money. We dont need the development of non-value adding roles or Quango type positions - and the rank and file are unlikely to see this as a positive addition to their daily toils. Unfortunately the role is likely to attract folk who think others are plebs..........”

“@Ysedra "Parachuted in"? Does that happen with all party political candidates? Of course not. I haven't backed any particular candidate although I would find one that puts the county's needs first, and would not impose cuts more appealing.

"Parachuted in"? is simply a rather dramatic sounding red herring. This isn't Agatha Christie and not all discussions about the police need red herrings.”

“GL52Resident Thanks for your comment . I'm fully aware of the role of the panel. They only have a power of veto in some areas and even then they need a two third majority. I welcome this governance and am fairly confident they will take a sensible approach.

It's right that the panel hold the PCC to account , but I urge them to leave their party hats aside. I will be putting in place structures so the people of Gloucestershire can hold me to account and will set these out in my manifesto.

Glad you're taking an interest.”

“I would like to correct a mistake in the article in the Echo / Citizen. The article says that when asked whether I would consider putting the council tax precept up to avoid cuts I said no. In fact, I informed the Echo that I would consider putting up the council tax precept to avoid cuts. Although, I want to keep the council tax as low as possible, my first responsibility would be to public safety in Gloucestershire. A previous Chief Constable described Gloucestershire as being on the cliff edge. Therefore, if necessary, I would put the council tax precept up to avoid damaging cuts and threaten public safety. The Echo/Citizen will be issuing a correction to their report.

Alistair Cameron
Liberal Democrat Prospective Police and Crime Commissioner Candidate”

“It is interesting that all the candidates are carefully ignoring the role of the Police and Crime Panels that will be created at the same time. Selected from locally elected representatives (councillors) they will, as I understand it, have the power to veto PCC decisions on appointments or budgetry matters.”

“At the end of the day, everything is political. "Mr Cameron (LibDem) said he would not allow any more government cuts - OK, the only way he can promise that is to promise to make up the shortfall from local tax. Is that his position?" THAT is a political statement. One may argue that it is not party political, but when it is the same policy position as the Conservatives, one is entitled to wonder. Diktats do not have to be issued from party central office. It is sufficient that a police commissioner shares the same pholosophy.

"I am passionate about making Gloucestershire a good and safe place to live" Aren't the other candidates?


"I'm sorry you have no place leading our police if you cant even imagine walking in their boots." Is the Minister of Defence required to "do a tour" of Helmand Province? Lets not be glib, you can appreciate the needs of a police officer without having to make a few arrests to prove it.

I am certainly not belittling the bravery of police officers. two recently Manchester Police Officers only weeks ago safrificed their lives as did Sharon Beshenivsky in 2005 when responding to a robbery at a travel agents in Bradford. .

Where I am in complete agreement with Martin Surl and Boris Johnson is over the behaviour of Andrew Mitchell the Conservative Chief Whip. It is not aceptable to swear at police officers or call them "plebs" still less in attempt to wriggle out issue a statement that raises doubt over the police officers testimony. Given the choice I would believe a police officer over a politician anyday.”