Tadley borough councillor resigns from Conservatives

Stephen West, the Basingstoke and Deane Borough councillor for Tadley Central, shocked fellow Conservative councillors last Thursday, at a meeting of the Conservative group, when he announced he was resigning from the party, and was standing as a candidate for the post of Hampshire and Isle of Wight Police and Crime Commissioner, in the November election.
Mr West, who has lived in Tadley since 1997, and was first elected to the ward in May 2002, was announced as the UKIP PCC candidate for Hampshire, at the UKIP party conference in Birmingham last week (September 20 to 22).
Mr West - a former special constable - said his PCC agenda would include a zero tolerance on anti-social behaviour and stopping the planned cuts in the number of front line police officers.
He had joined UKIP, he said as he felt they were the only party that represented the silent majority of people who were completely distrustful of the mainstream political parties:
“Residents in Tadley constantly tell me that while they are working hard to make ends meet and hold down a job, the richest people are getting a tax cut,” he said.
He also pledged to continue to support the people of Tadley albeit as a member of UKIP and to protect the town from over-development, anti-social behaviour and cuts to services.
“You supported me at the ballot box and I will continue to work tirelessly for you,” he said.
Mr West’s six-pronged PCC campaign includes: no reduction in numbers of front line police; no real terms increase in council tax precept; zero tolerance on anti-social behaviour; reduce overall crime levels; support victims of crime; and support campaign to tear down speed cameras.
The first elections for PCCs will be held on Thursday November 15. Each of the 41 police force areas in England and Wales, outside of London, will directly-elect a Commissioner.
PCC’s will replace police authorities in England and Wales and will be responsible for setting priorities for their police force, overseeing its budget and hiring the Chief Constable.
Said to be the voice of the people, PCC’s will speak to crime victims and be accountable for how crime is tackled in their police force. A police and crime panel in each area will be responsible for supporting and also holding the PCC’s to account and promoting the transparency of policing.
The Hampshire commissioner’s post will attract a salary of £85,000. No prior police force experience is required for the posts.