Northants' police and fire commissioner candidates

Polling stations across Northamptonshire will be open from 07:00 to

22:00 BST on 2 May

An election to choose the next police, fire and crime commissioner (PFCC) for Northamptonshire will take place on 2 May.

The PFCC is elected to oversee local policing and fire and rescue services, manage their budgets and make key appointments of the chief constable and chief fire officer.

They will be chosen using the first-past-the-post system for the first time this year - meaning voters will get to vote for only one candidate.

In previous years they were elected using the supplementary vote system, where voters could select their first and second preferences.

Following a law change last year, people who vote in person will have to remember to bring a form of photo ID with them.

The candidates below are listed in alphabetical order by surname.

Martyn Emberson - Conservatives

Former chief fire officer Martyn Emberson has been selected as the Tory candidate

Martyn Emberson served as chief fire officer in Northamptonshire's fire and rescue service for nearly nine years.

He then became chief inspector of the Scottish fire service. In this role, he advised governments on policy and operational efficiency.

Mr Emberson is also a magistrate assisting in addressing adult and youth crime.

He serves on the family panel, where he contributes to decisions regarding child adoption, guardianship, care and access arrangements.

After his selection in March, Mr Emberson said: "My vision is to lead collaborative efforts to enhance public safety, support our emergency services and build stronger, more resilient communities."

Ana Savage Gunn - Liberal Democrats

Ana Savage Gunn stood for the Liberal Democrats in 2021

The Liberal Democrat candidate was born and grew up in the county.

She joined Northamptonshire Police in 1985 and rose to the rank of inspector, serving across the county - including in Wellingborough - and she supervised the tactical firearms team.

Ms Savage Gunn helped run security for the 1996 Atlanta Olympics and later became a law enforcement consultant in the US, before her return to the UK and Northamptonshire.

She said: "I am a woman of action... police and fire need strong leadership.

"Morale is at an all time low and what they don't need is another politician to lead them."

She fought in the 2021 PFCC election for the Liberal Democrats, coming third with 15% of the vote.

Danielle Stone - Labour

Labour selected Danielle Stone last summer to contest the role

Danielle Stone has been a Labour Party councillor since 2011.

She led her Labour group for six years and was the finance spokesperson for eight years, and the shadow cabinet member for children's services.

She is a teacher and has worked in Northamptonshire as an education officer, setting up the Study Support Service for schools and communities.

Speaking after her selection, Ms Stone said: "It is wrong that many people feel unsafe in their own homes, own streets and neighbourhoods.

"It's time we had people at the top who understand communities and partnership working."