16/11/2012

Tory Elected PCC With Under 16% Turnout

With a turnout of just 15.8% Conservative candidate Angus Macpherson has been elected the first police and crime commissioner (PCC) for Wiltshire

Experts however are predicting that the poll across 41 police areas in England and Wales could yield "the worst turnout for any nationwide set of elections ever".

Labour called the elections a "shambles", but Damian Green, the Conservative police minister, sought to quell doubts about the legitimacy of the new politicians responsible for overseeing chief constables across England and Wales.

As early results confirmed fears of dismal turnouts, Green insisted the electorate was still warming to the new role and that PCCs would have a mandate.

Green made his comments as Macpherson, a magistrate, became the first commissioner to be elected after winning by 35,319 votes, ahead of Labour's Clare Moody on 21,157. While overall turnout in the county was 15.8%, it was as low as 10.95% in Trowbridge and 10.41% in Devizes, according to unofficial counting.

(H)


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