Crime commissioner by-election blighted by voter turnout of just 10%
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Labour’s David Jamieson can celebrate being elected as the £100,000-a-year police and crime commissioner (PCC) for the West Midlands, but few voters seemed enthused by the ballot, with the turnout at just 10.32 per cent.
The figure – which represented just under two million votes being cast – marked a new low, even worse than the previous record of 11.6 per cent in the Staffordshire PCC election in 2012.
The cost to the taxpayer of staging the ballot is estimated at at least £3.7m, or just under £20 for every vote cast. Jack Dromey, the shadow Police minister, said the poll was “characterised by costly chaos and a record low turnout”.
The role of commissioners, who oversee policing and force budgets, were introduced across the UK under the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011.
Mr Dromey described the legislation, which meant the by-election fell during the summer holidays when many voters were away, and just before a bank holiday weekend, as “a shambles” that benefited neither the candidates nor the electorate.
He added that Labour was now consulting on the future of commissioners, having opposed their original introduction by the Government.
The Electoral Reform Society said the law needed looking at, calling it “a very depressing turnout”.
But Nick Alston, chairman of the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners, said the role was “invaluable” in holding the police to public account.
He added: “The turnout was lower than we would have preferred but that does not detract from the important work PCCs across the country carry out every day.”
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments