Sussex Police & Crime Commissioner

As we reported last week, Progress weekly columnist and former Special Advisor, Paul Richards, announced he intends to seek the Labour candidacy to contest the Police and Crime Commissioner election in Sussex. In this interview he explains why he's standing.

1. How important are the new police and crime commissioner posts to voters in the south of England?

I don’t think many people have caught up to the fact that the police commissioners are on the way. These new posts, which Labour opposed in parliament, will control the police budgets in each of the constabularies in the south of England: Hertfordshire, Hampshire, Surrey, Sussex, Essex, Kent and Thames Valley.

The police commissioner will be a major player – and under the law he or she has the power to hire and fire the chief constable Martin Richards (by the way, we’re not related).

Because crime and anti-social behaviour is such a huge issue in the cities, towns and villages of the south, the police commissioners will have a higher profile than most council leaders, or even MPs.

2. When is the election?

England and Wales goes to the polls on Thursday 15th November 2012. They start work one week later.

3. Why are you standing?

I consider it vital that Labour has a strong candidate in each of the elections. I want to bring Labour values into the election debate, and make it a straight Labour/Tory fight in Sussex.

We have key parliamentary seats in Sussex – in Brighton, Hove, Crawley and Hastings – and I want to use the election to boost our profile and campaigning there, in support of wonderful candidates like Sarah Owen in Hastings & Rye. But I also want to get into places where Labour has not traditionally been in the lead: Chichester, Horsham, Haywards Heath, and the Sussex villages.

When I was a candidate in Lewes in 2001, we spent some time in places where Labour had seldom been, and you always find Labour voters, even in the tiniest hamlet. In elections like this, and in the Euros in 2014, every Labour vote in the south counts.

I live in Eastbourne, love Sussex, and want to campaign for Labour across the whole county. I joined the Labour Party in 1986, and I’ve been engaged in Labour politics every week since then.

4. What are your policies?

The first point is to argue for tight discipline on the finances. The Tory/Lib Dem cuts are already biting. There are fewer police in Sussex as a direct result. The new commissioner will work with the police to put a budget in place. If that commissioner is a Tory, I believe they would make different choices than if they were Labour. As a Labour police commissioner I would protect the most vulnerable.

Second, I want to champion the rights of victims of crime. My family has been the victim of a serious crime. The system needs to work harder to support victims as well as catch and punish criminals.

Third, I want to use the election to highlight issues around Hate Crime, domestic violence, and other ‘hidden crimes’. I’ve spent a lifetime campaigning against homophobia, racism, and for the rights of people with disabilities. Can my Tory opponent say the same?

I also think the salary of the commissioner shouldn’t be exorbitant. If elected I will donate a third of the salary to victims’ and police charities every year, and challenge my opponents to say the same.

5. Who are you up against?

Once the Labour candidate is selected – by a postal ballot of all members in Sussex – it will be a straight fight with the Tories. They’re likely to select Peter Jones, leader of the East Sussex county council. Another Tory politician. More of the same.

I don’t know what the Lib Dems will do – and neither do they.

I guess the BNP will stand a candidate on a hang ‘em and flog ‘em ticket. As a Labour candidate I will mobilise the trade unions and anti-racist campaigners to ensure the BNP are challenged every step of the way (not something I can see the Tory doing). The Greens may stand someone. They have a base in Brighton, but nowhere else in the county.

6. Will you take the Southern Front quick-fire quiz?

Sure.

Beatles or Stones? Beatles

Sherlock or Doctor Who? Sherlock, just brilliant

Curry or Chinese? Curry, every time. The Spice Garden in Eastbourne. Hmmm.

Madonna or Lady Gaga? Madonna. Showing my age.

Ed or David? Ed Miliband, not David Cameron. I’ll assume that’s what you meant.

North or South? South, naturally!