Alun retains role as police commissioner
RE-ELECTED police and crime commissioner Alun Michael says South Wales Police will be dealing with new and emerging demands in the coming years.
A former newspaper reporter, trade unionist, councillor and magistrate, Mr Michael was elected to Parliament in 1987. He resigned as an MP to stand for election as the police and crime commissioner for South Wales.
He said: “I take very seriously the responsibilities the voters have placed on my shoulders, in continuing to deliver and improve the effectiveness of policing and the prevention of harm across South Wales.”
Mr Michael added: “I am pleased to have had the support of the electorate across South Wales and to have been re-elected as police and crime commissioner for the third time.
“A great deal has been achieved through some very difficult years for policing but I am very keen for us to build on the firm foundations that we have put in place, and I shall be saying more shortly about my plans and ambitions for the next three years.
“While the past 12 months have been immensely difficult for everyone, we have worked with partners in Welsh Government and local government to keep the people of South Wales safe and the close joint working has brought about some very positive developments as has the co-operation between all parts of the criminal justice system in Wales so I want to thank the public, the members of my own team and to the chief constable, Jeremy Vaughan, and officers and staff across South Wales Police.
“Together we must now face the challenge of recovering from the Covid-19 pandemic while at the same time working hard to reduce and prevent crime in our communities and deal with new and emerging demands that have an impact on policing.
“I relish the challenge and now that the election is over I will work with the chief constable to pursue our shared ambition of giving the communities of South Wales the best possible police service.
“We will pursue that aim, along with the aim of preventing harm, by working with our partners, always achieving more together than we can achieve alone.”
Police and crime commissioner elections use the supplementary vote system, which means voters mark on the ballot paper their first choice and can – if they wish – mark on the ballot paper their second choice too.
If a candidate receives more than half of all the first choice votes, they are elected immediately.
Mr Michael became the first police and crime commissioner for South Wales in November 2012, and was reelected for a second term in 2016.
He was re-elected on Sunday after standing against five other candidates.
First round:
Alun Michael (Labour): 177,110 – 41%
Steve Gallagher (Conservative): 102,465 – 23.7%
Nadine Marshall (Plaid Cymru): 82,246 – 19%
Mike Baker (Independent): 37,110 – 8.6%
Callum Littlemore (Liberal Democrats): 19,907 – 4.6%
Gail John
13,263 – 3%
Second round:
Alun Michael (Labour): 48,353
Steve Gallagher (Conservative): 25,379
In total the Labour politician received 225,463 votes and a majority of 97,619. (Propel):