chrisjpainter Posted May 3, 2016 Report Share Posted May 3, 2016 I've never been more tempted to choose not to vote in an election. It's not that I don't care, it's that I don't think the role should exist. Anyone else set to vote or not vote? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShootingEgg Posted May 3, 2016 Report Share Posted May 3, 2016 Think same as you, no need for the role to exist. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rjimmer Posted May 3, 2016 Report Share Posted May 3, 2016 I didn't vote last time and I won't vote this time for the same reason as above. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ozzy518 Posted May 3, 2016 Report Share Posted May 3, 2016 No voting here either. Would you believe one of our candidates, who is stating that she would do all this n that for victims of crime, has actually made her career thus far as a Defence solicitor!!! Defending the criminals against the justice system for the very victims of crime she now purports to support. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickS Posted May 4, 2016 Report Share Posted May 4, 2016 No voting here either. Would you believe one of our candidates, who is stating that she would do all this n that for victims of crime, has actually made her career thus far as a Defence solicitor!!! Defending the criminals against the justice system for the very victims of crime she now purports to support. Are you saying that someone charged with an offence should not be entitled to a defence solicitor? In this country, a person isn't a criminal until they have been tried and are found guilty. Oh, I forgot - the police never make mistakes and anyone arrested is therefore guilty. There may be many reasons not to vote for her but standing up for the rule of law is hardly one of them. More to the point, I believe that this rôle is too important to be politicised. One of our local candidates has posted on Facebook that his candidacy is supported by our MP, Jeremy Hunt. That is all wrong - we need people who will fight to improve policing and not just roll over meekly and accept the cuts and interference beloved by Her Majesty's Government. Sadly, most people will continue to vote along party lines without really looking at the person. As usual, we shall get what we deserve.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fortune Posted May 4, 2016 Report Share Posted May 4, 2016 6 candidates in Kent for the £85,000 job Apparently there was a 16% turnout last time. The present candidates should be scrapped as not suitable. They all seem to be chancers and coming out with total drivel. one other was not allowed to take part because he couldn't fill in the app forms. It's pretty bad. I think that the days of this job have got to be numbered. >> link to local rag. >> http://www.kentonline.co.uk/kent/news/revealed-kents-crime-commissioner-candidates-93958/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KFC Posted May 4, 2016 Report Share Posted May 4, 2016 In my opinion, the job was created simply as a buffer zone between Government and the electorate. In other words, if we're unhappy about Policing then the Government can simply say we should vote out the Commissioner. We already pay for Chief Constables so I don't see the need for an extra tier based on political persuasion. I won't be voting either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluesj Posted May 4, 2016 Report Share Posted May 4, 2016 I wouldn't have bothered but for the fact one of the Sussex candidates (katy Bourne) is pro field sports don't know about the others as the never replied to the email. She says has looked at the firearms licensing department and got them to sort out the backlog. Sussex do seem to be on the ball, weather that has anything to do with her or not I don't know Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poontang Posted May 4, 2016 Report Share Posted May 4, 2016 In my opinion, the job was created simply as a buffer zone between Government and the electorate. In other words, if we're unhappy about Policing then the Government can simply say we should vote out the Commissioner. We already pay for Chief Constables so I don't see the need for an extra tier based on political persuasion. I won't be voting either. Pretty much my thoughts too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scully Posted May 4, 2016 Report Share Posted May 4, 2016 I've never voted either, and nor do I intend to. It's a non job in my opinion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShootingEgg Posted May 4, 2016 Report Share Posted May 4, 2016 We have had nothing in the form of leaflets telling us about out candidates. Blind votin.. Yay Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrowningB525 Posted May 4, 2016 Report Share Posted May 4, 2016 I strongly suggest that those considering not voting put thir details here to see what the candidate's stances are in shooting. http://basc.org.uk/blog/shooting/police-and-crime-commissioners/ It is worth googling the candidate as well as they may be useless. There is such a level of apathy regarding pcc that shooters could actually sway the vote. Then again shooters are more apathetic than most. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blunderbuss Posted May 4, 2016 Report Share Posted May 4, 2016 (edited) Whilst not convinced of the benefits of the role, I shall be voting out of self interest as a shooter. The PCCs could have some influence over the performance of firearms licensing departments. At the very least it's in our interests to make sure no one who is a rabid anti gets in. I emailed all our candidates in West Mercia, but only got a reply from 2. One professed to be supportive of shooting but didn't seem to know much about the issues (Labour). The independent candidate was keenly supportive and was very well informed about delays and staffing issues in West Mercia FLD. I also think party politics has no place in these posts so he will be getting my vote. The low turnout in these elections does mean a relatively small number of people could influence the outcome. Edited May 4, 2016 by Blunderbuss Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
norfolk dumpling Posted May 4, 2016 Report Share Posted May 4, 2016 Don't know anyof our candidates. Only read their own spiel about what they might do and nothing really stands out. Current guy, Bett, currently has his son in jail for a serious driving offence - does this make him a good candidate? Not voting as don't see point of this role. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rimfire4969 Posted May 4, 2016 Report Share Posted May 4, 2016 I strongly suggest that those considering not voting put thir details here to see what the candidate's stances are in shooting. http://basc.org.uk/blog/shooting/police-and-crime-commissioners/ It is worth googling the candidate as well as they may be useless. There is such a level of apathy regarding pcc that shooters could actually sway the vote. Then again shooters are more apathetic than most. A good point, I had 4 replies to my basc emails. One guy regularly shoots clays, another is an ex farmer who sees the need for vermin control and shooting in general, next fully supports the rural economy and the money that shooting brings to it and ones see no reason for normal people to have the need for high powered weapons, but would like the licensing system updated. Out of these there is one I will not vote for, if he got in it is another voice high up the chain not in favour of guns. I say use your vote wisely. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kalahari Posted May 4, 2016 Report Share Posted May 4, 2016 I feel we should vote. We get a PCC whether we vote or not. Surely it is in our interests to vote for the best. (Even if only the best of a not too impressive bunch) David. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisjpainter Posted May 4, 2016 Author Report Share Posted May 4, 2016 I feel we should vote. We get a PCC whether we vote or not. Surely it is in our interests to vote for the best. (Even if only the best of a not too impressive bunch) David. I feel I should too. But it also strikes me as slightly hypocritical to want someone to get a job that i don't think should really exist! The candidates aren't TOO bad - although the successful candidate from last year, the Tory chap, was almost immediately involved in an expenses scandal. Anyone else in the Thames valley? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dekers Posted May 4, 2016 Report Share Posted May 4, 2016 I tend to agree that the role is not required, but not voting isn't going to help. The role exists, not voting will not make it go away, so you really should consider voting for the least bad candidate! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
four-wheel-drive Posted May 4, 2016 Report Share Posted May 4, 2016 (edited) If people are not going to vote or cannot be bothered to vote then in my eyes all of the past hundreds of years of people pushing to get the vote and being killed tortured and imprisoned for daring to say that the king/queen has a god given rite to order us around opting out is not an option. I think that voting should be compulsory by law and if people do not vote they should be fined if there is no one on the voting list I would have a non of the above place and if more than a certain amount of people put there x in that section there should be a new vote with new people to vote for. Edited May 4, 2016 by four-wheel-drive Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobt Posted May 4, 2016 Report Share Posted May 4, 2016 I am running a poling both tommorrow, I will get paid £200 plus yes I will take plenty of mags and books to read, its a long day, if you dont vote you can hardly complain after. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonny thomas Posted May 4, 2016 Report Share Posted May 4, 2016 (edited) No voting here either. Would you believe one of our candidates, who is stating that she would do all this n that for victims of crime, has actually made her career thus far as a Defence solicitor!!! Defending the criminals against the justice system for the very victims of crime she now purports to support. Thief to catch a theif Edited May 4, 2016 by jonny thomas Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fortune Posted May 4, 2016 Report Share Posted May 4, 2016 (edited) I would have a non of the above place and if more than a certain amount of people put there x in that section there should be a new vote with new people to vote for. opting out is not an option. Isn't your above statement exactly an opt out. I think that voting should be compulsory by law and if people do not vote they should be fined. How is anyone going to actually know if I put an X in a box or nothing or OXO ? It's a secret you see. Do you follow? And The great majority of those that dont turn out are either on the system or haven't got anything anyway, AND who is going to track all of these blighters down and bring them to book? There is no money in the pot to keep a local police station open. The nearest is Maidstone and if you ring 999 you might be lucky if they turn out within the hour. A burglary maybe three days to a week if you are lucky and there is a car available. £85,000 for a non job for people that probably aren't suitable anyway. It just seems that any hooray Henry that thinks there is either easy money or some kind of importance puts their name down and promises anything most of which is total LaLa land. Edited May 4, 2016 by fortune Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KFC Posted May 4, 2016 Report Share Posted May 4, 2016 If people are not going to vote or cannot be bothered to vote then in my eyes all of the past hundreds of years of people pushing to get the vote and being killed tortured and imprisoned for daring to say that the king/queen has a god given rite to order us around opting out is not an option. I think that voting should be compulsory by law and if people do not vote they should be fined if there is no one on the voting list I would have a non of the above place and if more than a certain amount of people put there x in that section there should be a new vote with new people to vote for. An abstention is a legitimate vote. Also many people chose not to vote because they genuinely do not understand the issues. I do not think lack of knowledge should be a criminal offence. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShootingEgg Posted May 4, 2016 Report Share Posted May 4, 2016 One of the candidates replied to my basc email today.. First paragraph... I have always been a firm supporter of recreational shooting, in fact of all countryside sports. My father was the founding member of the Denbigh and West Cheshire Full Bore and Rifle Club, and I spent many enjoyable days at the RAF Sealand Rifle and Seacombe Pistol range. Also... In some cases this means improving existing rules, for example under the current system, doctors are under no legal obligation to police requests for information about the health of applicants. Even if a patient suffers from a mental condition that might affect their judgement whilst in possession of a firearm. Whilst in other cases it means working to prevent proscriptive legislation from damaging the sport. Such as the work I did in support of the Countryside Alliances Lead Shot Campaign in 2012 when the European Chemical Agency began looking into the possibility of banning the use of lead shot across the continent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arjimlad Posted May 4, 2016 Report Share Posted May 4, 2016 Whether you agree with the need or desirability of a PCC role or not, if a candidate supports shooting then please vote to get them in. Far better than a raving anti having all that influence. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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