PCC is a waste of taxpayers’ money

I’VE often advocated for the abolition of the Police & Crime Commissioner role, having written to the previous incumbent, Angus

Macpherson, a number of times. I also met him in person at one of his roadshows, too. In every one of his responses, I’ve come away wondering why I’d bothered.

When you consider that the paid salary is in excess of £80k, with generous expense claims on top, it beggars belief. In my opinion, the position is a complete waste of taxpayers’ money.

The latest shambles with the winner, Jonathan Seed, disbarred sums it up. Apparently, the rules stipulate that if you’ve been convicted for an offence that could lead to a prison sentence, then you cannot stand for the position.

It appears a straightforward rule to me. So why did Jonathan Seed think he was above it, especially when he knew he had a previous conviction on file for drink-driving?

His integrity is a real cause for concern and he ought to be utterly ashamed of himself.

Shockingly, the revised ballot will cost in excess of £1 million. In my opinion, Jonathan Seed should pay for it himself rather than taxpayers.

If he won’t, then the CPS should investigate and potentially put him before the courts.

Without doubt, this fiasco has reaffirmed my thoughts that the PCC role should be abolished, both here in Wiltshire and the whole of the UK.

Finally, when the list of candidates is produced for the revised ballot, can we replace Jonathan Seed’s name with an option to ‘Scrap The Position’ instead. After this latest shambles, I’m sure it would come out tops.

Alan Wilson Swindon