Police and Crime Commissioners
Debate between Baroness Stowell of Beeston and Lord Condon
Baroness Stowell of Beeston
My Lords, election addresses are an important and routine part of the election process. The Home Office proposes a cost-effective way of distributing election addresses for PCC candidates. As the noble Lord will know, election addresses are not the only form of communication that takes place during a campaign. The Electoral Commission is responsible for raising awareness of the election. The Government will make sure that the policy of the creation of PCCs is widely known—as it is already. The candidates must take responsibility for communicating their messages through their campaigns.
Lord Condon
My Lords, I declare my registered interests, which are police-related. Does the Minister share my concern that it seems increasingly likely that the only candidates who will succeed in November will be party-political nominees or personalities who are already household names, and that the flaws exposed by the Electoral Commission will deter talented, independent candidates from standing—or will ensure that, if they do stand, they will be frozen out by the process?
Baroness Stowell of Beeston
No, I do not agree with the noble Lord’s proposition. The system of election is open. Some high-profile candidates have come forward, including at least one Member of your Lordships’ House. There are also independent candidates who are expressing an interest in putting themselves forward for this important role. It is encouraging how many people are embracing what will be a new and very radical way of increasing public accountability and encouraging a relationship between people and the police.