Cost of police election deters Staffordshire's independent candidates claim critics

“I trust this election to be straight as much as I would trust any of the elections held in this city.
The phrase "bent as a nine bob note" comes to mind here.
Its a fact political party's in England are nothing but hotbeds of corruption and slime.
This will be no different.
The police will be bought and paid for with party money.”

“It's a disgrace but I'm not surprised. All the talk that these elected positions will allow capable independent candidates to put themselves forward is complete guff. This was always going to be a mechanism of political party dominance over more aspects of our lives, very thinly disguised as some sort of democracy. I've heard very little of substance from either of these candidates, just tired old shallow cliches. Joy Garner says she'll oppose police cuts, but there's little credibility in that given she sits there on SOT City Council voting through no end of other cuts that severely impact on people. Matthew Ellis wants to cut down on paperwork etc. Yes I want police on the streets, ideally rounding up all the drug dealers and stopping cigarettes and alcohol getting to underage teens. But there needs to be some 'paperwork' or at least computer filework. Police should act but there has to be accountability, there needs to be records, to protect possibly innocent members of the public and police officers alike and assess effectiveness of police work. Is there any point voting? Well, I'll vote, it may be a spoilt ballot or I may figure out the least bad option. I think it's worth turning out to vote, a large number of spoilt ballots would signal lack of confidence of the public in the system or candidates.”

“The best way to protest this is to go along and write None of the Above across the ballot paper. If we do this in our thousands, and inform the press of it, we might get our point across.”

“Hardnose, and Dizzy 1960 spot on.
Labour voted against this post, which just goes to show what hypocrites they are, and whoever gets in will screw the expenses rotten.
It will cost the tax-payer millions.”

“Well said by Dizzy 1960,The person to take charge of the police,is called a Chief Constable,not some lefty councilor who would allow the low life that roam our streets,get away with murder,”

“Undoubtedly, we will vote in an unnecessary candidate into an unnecessary job and Labour's candidate fits this description perfectly.”

“Spread over a year,that comes to about 300 pounds a week to stand as a candidate,plus loss of earnings.”

“So the people of Stoke-on-Trent will have to choose between a LabRat or ConArtist for Police Commissioner and with the assistance of the Corrupt Prosecution Service our council's illegal dealings will be kept well under wraps.

Of cause it's undemocratic. But when has this city being any different?”