Alun Michael wins South Wales Police and Crime Commissioner vote
SOUTH Wales Police's first elected commissioner is Alun Michael.
The former MP failed to win an overall majority in the first round of counting after a strong challenge from independent Mike Baker, but once the second preferences were counted, the Labour candidate emerged victorious.
Turnout across the force area was just 15 per cent, which turnout in Swansea of 12.77 per cent and Neath Port Talbot of 16.15 per cent.
As commissioner Mr Michael will control the force's £250 million annual budget, decide policing priorities and have the power to hire and fire the chief constable.
Business Cards From Only £10.95 Delivered www.myprint-247.co.uk
View detailsOur heavyweight cards have FREE UV silk coating, FREE next day delivery & VAT included. Choose from 1000's of pre-designed templates or upload your own artwork. Orders dispatched within 24hrs.
Terms: Visit our site for more products: Business Cards, Compliment Slips, Letterheads, Leaflets, Postcards, Posters & much more. All items are free next day delivery. www.myprint-247.co.uk
Contact: 01858 468192
Valid until: Sunday, May 26 2013
Speaking at the declaration in Port Talbot's Princess Royal Theatre he said: "I pledge to represent the whole population of South Wales without fear or favour, or bias - to hold the police to account and to protect police from political influence."
Mr Michael, a former Police Minister under PM Tony Blair, takes control on November 22 when the South Wales Police Authority — the body which currently oversee's the force — is abolished.
Mr Michael polled 66,879 first preference votes, to Mr Baker's 46,264. Conservative Caroline Jones received 20,913 while independent Tony Verderame polled 8,378. Mr Michael and Mr Baker then went forward into the next round, where the second preferences of those who voted for the bottom two candidates were counted abd redistributed.
When first and second preferences were combined, Mr Michael won 72,251 votes to Mr Baker's 60,784.
Neither Plaid nor the Lib Dems candidates stood in the election.
Each force in Wales and England outside London has elected a police commissioner.
The UK Government say the new posts will make the police more accountable the communities they serve, but critics warn of the politicisation of policing.
Home Secretary Theresa May has insisted commissioners will not interfere with the operational independence of chief constables.
Comments
by torquemada
Saturday, November 17 2012, 10:16PM
“"What an evil scumbag Cameron is turning out to be, give him a gun and he aims for his foot every time""
wish he'd aim for his head.”
by Neathboy234
Saturday, November 17 2012, 7:15PM
“well said homeboy123 never again will Cameron be able to knock the unions on that one. What a silly person Cameron is turning out to be, give him a gun and he aims for his foot every time”
by homeboy123
Saturday, November 17 2012, 6:04PM
“Odd when a union or group has a vote and only 20% turn out ( let say) the cartel ( government ) state this its not lawful. However when we have this joke vote they sing a different song”
by bennyhill4
Saturday, November 17 2012, 12:04PM
“williamwaun, the only labour winner in wales was alan michael so where do you get that wales always votes labour? You seem so anti labour that it has effected you'r ability to post the truth,or you just dont know what you are talking about, which i think is the more likely”
by ArthurRittick
Saturday, November 17 2012, 11:25AM
“Michael jumps from 1 gravy train to another - he obviously thinks that the expenses for this one will be under less scrutiny!”
by Julesbreadbox
Saturday, November 17 2012, 10:48AM
“Quote Dooyah:
In his campaign, Roddick said the police commissioner needed to act independently of political interference.
Interesting. Thanks for that!
To me that shows that people are willing to do anything for the right amount of money.What a hero to "deny" his political background and go "independent". Sheds quite a light on politicians and their "believes".
But quite honestly, for such a nice job I would even be prepared to become a Marsian, Vulcan, Klingon or whatever is needed/wanted!”
by bennyhill4
Saturday, November 17 2012, 10:04AM
“williamwaun, and the south east will always vote tory. bunch of sheep”
by bennyhill4
Saturday, November 17 2012, 10:02AM
“torquemada,PRAT, what sort of society would we have without the police? Oh i know, idiots like you running amok”
by Dooyah
Saturday, November 17 2012, 9:56AM
“Correction:
Winner in North Wales PCC Election is a LibDem.
'Liberal Democrat wins PCC election … by standing as an independent'
[Winston] Roddick was publicly endorsed during the campaign by Kirsty Williams, the Liberal Democrat leader in Wales, who said that the party was not putting up candidates but that she was backing him "because, as an independent candidate, he is free from party political pressure."
In his campaign, Roddick said the police commissioner needed to act independently of political interference.'
Source: Guardian http://tinyurl.com/cxgazun”
by geoboy01
Saturday, November 17 2012, 9:54AM
“I never agree with williamwaun
but,I do believe 'sheep' had something to do with the voting on police commisioner
mr alun michael is a household name and voters could just think Oh thats that awful labour mp but Mr Baker? i never heared of him!Now-if it was Tom Baker i would have voted him !! "i didnt vote"”