Northamptonshire police and crime commissioner results
- Published
Conservative Adam Simmonds has been elected police and crime commissioner for Northamptonshire.
Find out more about these candidates below.
LEE BARRON - Labour Party
Labour has withdrawn its support for Lee Barron at his request, but he remains a candidate
Lee Barron is standing as the Labour candidate, but it has emerged that he has a criminal conviction for a minor offence dating back 22 years that would prevent him from taking up the position.
Mr Barron said he had declared details of the offence, but had asked the Labour Party to suspend its endorsement in order to "protect the integrity" of the party and the other candidates.
East Midlands Labour Party said it had suspended Mr Barron and withdrawn its support, pending an investigation. However, since he did not withdraw by 24 October, Mr Barron remains a candidate and his name will appear on the ballot paper.
JIM MACARTHUR - United Kingdom Independence Party
UKIP candidate Jim MacArthur is opposed to the "politicisation" of the police
Former flight lieutenant in the RAF Police, senior executive with P&O and Northamptonshire special constable, Jim MacArthur is standing as the candidate for UK Independence Party.
He said: "I am strongly against the politicisation of the police. I am standing as a UKIP candidate because the government, [intentionally I think], have made it difficult for independents to campaign effectively.
"Whilst I am a member of UKIP, accept party candidature and support that party's political agenda, I am completely self-funded for this election and consider myself independent. I have made it clear that if elected PCC I will not accede to any political agenda."
JOHN NORRIE - Independent
Independent candidate John Norrie says he aims to represent the interests of Northamptonshire people
Businessman John Norrie, a former independent member of the Northamptonshire Police Authority, is an independent candidate going for the post.
He said: "This election gives us a real chance to move the governance of the police away from self-interest or political gain.
"It gives us the chance to create the policing plan we want, focused on the priorities of the people. It will bring clarity and transparency to the way the police work. It gives us the chance to ensure that decisions are taken with the interests of Northamptonshire in mind and not some national party agenda."
ADAM SIMMONDS - Conservatives
Adam Simmonds, the Conservative candidate, wants to ensure "public concerns" are reflected
Former senior officer at Northamptonshire County Council Adam Simmonds is the Conservative candidate for the post.
He said: "I will be a progressive, considered and modern thinking commissioner. I will not intrude on police operational responsibilities. I do not want issues to become party political and will work closely and co-operatively with the new Northamptonshire Police and Crime Panel.
"I will listen to the experiences and concerns of ordinary people, especially where crime impacts most. I will ensure public concerns are reflected in policing priorities, while remaining vigilant champions of the civil liberties of local minorities."
PAUL VARNSVERRY - Liberal Democrats
Lib Dem candidate Paul Varnsverry wants to be a "strong voice" for the people of Northamptonshire
Former deputy leader of Northampton Borough Council and chair of the British Standards committee for police protective equipment, Paul Varnsverry has been selected as the Lib Dem candidate.
"I fervently believe I have the experience and knowledge to be a strong voice for Northamptonshire residents," he said.
"I know it is crucial that local people have confidence in the police and that the police themselves are grounded in the communities in which they work."