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Patrick Burns
Political editor, Midlands
Midlands Police & Crime Commissioner candidates update
Conservative Police Commissioner candidates
- Matt Bennett
- Cllr Adrian Blackshaw
- Cllr Matthew Ellis
- Fraser Pithie
- Victoria Atkins
My last post on this subject on 18 June 2012 followed the unveiling by the Labour leader Ed Miliband of his party's candidates for Police and Crime Commissioners.
Click on the following link to see the Labour candidates as mentioned in my previous correspondent post.
The Liberal Democrats have yet to decide how many candidates they will be fielding, and where.
I promised to update you as further names came out of the woodwork.Midlands Police candidates update
And this week it has been the Conservatives' turn.
Unveiled by the Policing Minister, Nick Herbert MP, their four local candidates were confirmed as follows...
Conservative candidatesMatt Bennett
Matt Bennett
Challenging for the role in the biggest force outside London, West Midlands, Mr Bennett is a former Birmingham City councillor, having served as cabinet member for Children's and Social Services.
He was elected after a series of four primary elections across the area.
Cllr Adrian Blackshaw
Cllr Adrian Blackshaw
Currently Herefordshire Council's Cabinet member for Economic Regeneration, Mr Blackshaw will be standing in West Mercia, which covers Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Shropshire.
He has built a career in business embracing publishing, medical product development and finance.
Cllr Matthew Ellis
Cllr Matthew Ellis
Staffordshire County Council's cabinet member for Adult Wellbeing has presided over a radical restructuring of the Social Services department.
The candidate for commissioner in Staffordshire has also served on Lichfield District Council.
Fraser Pithie
Fraser Pithie
The candidate in Warwickshire retired as a senior operations manager at Severn Trent Water last year.
He also worked with the police as a warranted special constable between 2001 and 2009.
Mr Pithie has lived in the county all his life.
The Conservatives have also selected their candidate for Police Commissioner in Gloucestershire.
Victoria Atkins
Victoria Atkins
The leading criminal barrister from the Cotswolds was selected after a postal vote by local party members.
Ms Atkins said she was "honoured" to have been chosen.
Further updatesStand by for further posts as more runners and riders emerge via my correspondent posts.
Pakistani politician is shot dead
Patience of Job
Tweets of the week
Clocking out
Most wanted
Story of the S-Class
Fast Track
Comment number 3.
Phil3rd August 2012 - 10:41
I wonder how much difference this will make. When I saw this, I initially thought that maybe, having someone who's elected at the top would help the police focus on things the public would like them to be doing but, a politician? Is that really such a great idea? They don't exactly have an exemplary record for putting voters before party politics.
Link to this (Comment number 3)
Comment number 2.
Arden Forester2nd August 2012 - 14:45
I may summon up the enthusiasm to vote for one of these people. Perhaps they may give a thought to the politically correct ambitions of senior police officers. I'd like to continue being able to say boo to a goose, but some police think they know better.
Link to this (Comment number 2)
Comment number 1.
smbrookes1st August 2012 - 18:56
It is of some concern that there is very little focus given to the importance of independence in the role of PCC. Please see my two blogs -
http://blogs.lse.ac.uk/politicsandpolicy/category/stephen-brookes/ and a blog in the guardian public leaders network which is provided as a link
Link to this (Comment number 1)