Stephen Bett, Norfolk's police and crime commissioner.
Norfolk’s police and crime commissioner backs report on election mistakes
By DAN GRIMMER
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
5:54 PM
Norfolk’s police and crime commissioner has welcomed a report which concedes mistakes were made in the inaugural elections for the role.
Stephen Bett, pictured, who quit the Conservatives to stand as an independent candidate in last November’s elections, said the Electoral Commission’s report was “candid and accurate” and highlighted many concerns he had previously raised.
Turnout nationally was just 15.1pc, with Norfolk a touch below that on 15pc.
According to the report, the most common reasons for people not voting in the first police and crime commissioner election was a lack of awareness and understanding about the election, not knowing who the candidates were or where to find information about them.
The government did not provide money for a mail-shot informing voters of the candidates and the Electoral Commission report recommends that a booklet of candidates is sent to every home for the next elections in 2016.
Mr Bett said: “Norfolk is the fifth largest county in England – it’s a vast geographical area to canvass.
“My small campaign team and I worked hard to get out and speak to as many people in as many parts of the county as possible, but it was a mammoth task.
“In other types of election the government would facilitate mailshots or booklets being sent out to households including candidates’ details – we were on our own.
“Whilst face-to-face contact is preferable, this would have helped us reach out to more people.” Jenny Watson, chairman of the Electoral Commission, in recommending the government to make clear at the time of introducing legislation how they will ensure voters have access to information about candidates, said: “It’s not enough to think that simply holding an election will inspire participation.
“That’s why at the 2016 PCC elections a candidate information booklet must be sent to every household.”
Mr Bett added: “The role of PCC is an important one. We have huge decisions to make on behalf of the areas we serve.
“The next PCC elections are scheduled for May 2016, and I hope the government will take on board the recommendations made in this report by the Electoral Commission and take steps to ensure the public is aware, engaged and empowered to make an informed decision on who they want to represent them as police and crime commissioner.
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8 comments
Bett is laughing at his old Tory chums as he counts all the money from his super fat salary as PCC. Bett went from Zero to Hero when he took on the Tory establishment to win as Norfolk's own independent PCC. He seems to do even less work than he did as a County Councillor or Police Authority Chairman which isn't saying much.
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pig in trough
Thursday, March 21, 2013
Bett is sitting back and laughing at his old Tory chums, counting his £80k salary in his big office at Police HQ. Bett seems to be doing even less as PCC as he did as a County Councillor. He's gone from zero to hero by taking on the Tory establishment in Norfolk. Word on the street is that the Tories are set to lose Bett's County Council seat in the May elections. The Burnham set aren't best pleased with how the Tories treated their old chum Bett. Expect them to stay at home or vote for UKIP in protest. Bett is the only true Tory left in Norfolk!
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pig in trough
Thursday, March 21, 2013
Biggest mistake was the Tories kicking Betts into touch and putting forward someone whose name I cant remember who had only been in the County for about five minutes. Still laughing!
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Electra
Thursday, March 21, 2013
Perhaps the EDP should ask him if he is managing to reduce his £10m to £20m funding gap. The Police Crime Panel approved Bett's police budget plan including his funding gap, so it must be alright mustn't it?
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popeye
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Oh I forgot about Mr Bett. Has he or whats-her-name done anything yet? What are they doing about his dreadful premonitions of a police 'funding gap' in 3 or 4 years time? Is the gap getting smaller?
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popeye
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
The democratic validity of both the previous and current administration remains open to question.The wider question of how to reverse the democratic deficit has only been reinforced by this charade.Political education in schools,votes at 16 and a mass campaign to register,involving the administration of £1000 penalties may help.So might STV for local elections.
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Peter Watson
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
So no mention of the fact that the public had no appetite for these elections, especially the politicization of the police
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suffin else
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Will the booklet compare the safe Bett's performance against other counties? Norfolk police share of council tax this year is £200 for a band D house compared to £151 in Hampshire. How is that fair or right?
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Police Commissioner ???
Wednesday, March 20, 2013