Former soldier joins battle for South Wales Police commissioner
FALKLANDS War veteran Simon Weston is to stand for election as South Wales Police's first commissioner.
The former soldier described himself as "an ordinary guy" who would stand as an independent candidate, who would listen to views of the public.
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Simon Weston
The new commissioner will control the force's £256m annual budget, set policing priorities and have the power to fire the chief constable.
The 50-year-old ex-Welsh Guardsman said: "I'm an ordinary guy who is well known and I would make it my business to hear what the public had to say about policing.
"Crime is a very important issue and I think there's a need for someone to go to when there is a problem.
"People want to know what's being done about cars being stolen, about areas where young people are taking drugs or hanging around, about burglaries."
He added that he would work closely with the chief constable.
Mr Weston is the third person to enter the race so far — Cardiff MP Alun Michael and Rhondda Cynon Taf councillor Paul Cannon, aformer policeman, are competing for the Labour Party nomination.
Another former soldier, Iraq war veteran Tim Collins, is to stand for commissioner in Kent.
Elections for commissioners in all Welsh and English forces, except the Met in London, will take place on November 15. Scotland - where policing is a devolved matter - is not introducing them. Commissioners wil replace the existing police authorities, which are being abolished.
The Conservative - Lib Dem coalition government in Westminster says the commissioners will make police forces more accountable to the public - but opponents argue they could lead to the politicisation of policing, and question whether one person can properly represent all the communities in a force area.
Among the names being mentioned as possible candidates for the Dyfed-Powys commissioner are former Tory Assembly leader Nick Bourne, and Pembrokeshire council leader John Davies.
The South Wales Police commissioner is likely to earn around £85,000 a year, while the Dyfed-Powys commissioner's salary will be around £65,000.
10 Comments
by handyman
Thursday, February 09 2012, 6:19PM
“Simon weston would get my vote too i think he could do an excellent job,a great honest down to earth guy
a fantastic ambassador for the wole of britain never mind just wales,someone we could all trust as a prime minister even!”
by huwwuh
Thursday, February 09 2012, 6:15PM
“I hope Max Boyce stands against him.”
by weslangdon
Thursday, February 09 2012, 5:31PM
“he's not as independent as you think, he won't get my vote
http://tinyurl.com/7knp8ur”
by scuffs1
Thursday, February 09 2012, 5:01PM
“you will have my vote and my wifes vote”
by willy88
Thursday, February 09 2012, 4:29PM
“Dai Chotomy- there's no one in the South Wales Police that have any idea about policing in this day and age and it's getting worse. Take it from a dinosaur who is a retired policeman. It's the civvies in the job who waste our money.”
by antyall
Thursday, February 09 2012, 4:16PM
“As Simon Weston appears to be the only natural candidate out of the three he would get my vote. Alan Michal is no longer in politics but will have an agenda. Paul Cannon a former policeman but counselor.
No if the commissioner has an agenda past or present they should not be considered. I thought police were not aloud to have a political leaning anyway!”
by Dai_Chotomy
Thursday, February 09 2012, 4:02PM
“If someone is going to spend £276m, I would prefer him/her to know something about policing.”
by flepwales
Thursday, February 09 2012, 4:00PM
“You have my vote as well mate”
by mocsa
Thursday, February 09 2012, 3:07PM
“Simon You have my vote”
by willy88
Thursday, February 09 2012, 2:53PM
“He's bound to be better than the rabble that's there at present. Well done Simon”