Motion of no confidence in West Mercia police and crime commissioner is lost (From Worcester News)
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Motion of no confidence in West Mercia police and crime commissioner is lost
12:53pm Thursday 17th January 2013 in News By Tom Edwards
This live event has finished
Latest
- West Mercia police and crime commissioner Bill Longmore is today facing calls to resign after councillors published a ‘no confidence’ motion in him.
- Worcestershire County Council’s Labour group wants the commissioner to quit, along with his deputy Barrie Sheldon.
- Tom Edwards is reporting live from the meeting now.
- Join the debate. Tweet using #BillWN or add a comment at the end of this story.
1:11pm
Not surprised that there are calls for West Mercias PCC Bill Longmore to resign. What do you expect if you give your best mate a £50k job
— @TomKat_ 10 January 2013
1:09pm
There was also a strong feeling the legislation is in dire need of a shake-up the next time PCCs go to the polls
— @tomedwardsWN 17 January 2013
1:09pm
The general consensus over Bill Longmore was that he did wrong - but councillors did not want to embarrass him further by backing the motion
— @tomedwardsWN 17 January 2013
1:08pm
1:05pm Thu 17 Jan 13
chapski75 says
I saw Bill Longmore on the BBC Midlands Today programme yesterday. It is now clear why he needs his deputy! He does not look up to the job. I wasn't expecting a well polished political party candidate groomed for the job, but I also wasn't expecting someone who carries himself with so little confidence and someone who appears to lack the drive necessary to make a difference. His Deputy's prime responsibility will be to keep nudging Mr Longmore during meetings to make sure he's still awake!
To his credit Barrie Sheldon does appear to be the sort of character who'll get things done and I'm sure he resents only getting £50k when his boss is on £75k.
Just shows up the lack of information that was available to allow an educated choice to be made between the candidates. Lessons need to be learnt for the next round of elections to ensure more media attention is given up front. It's certainly getting media attention now it's all gone wrong!
1:04pm
The result, it's fair to say will come as a major relief to the PCC
— @tomedwardsWN 17 January 2013
1:03pm
Just four councillors backed the motion, with 27 voting against and 18 abstaining
— @tomedwardsWN 17 January 2013
1:03pm
Notice of 'no confidence' in police and crime commissioner Bill Longmore is LOST
— @tomedwardsWN 17 January 2013
1:03pm
The Labour group all vote for the motion, but the motion is lost
— @tomedwardsWN 17 January 2013
1:02pm
So far the vast majority are abstaining or voting against it
— @tomedwardsWN 17 January 2013
1:02pm
Many councillors are abstaining from the vote - refusing to back it or reject it
— @tomedwardsWN 17 January 2013
1:02pm
We are now going to a vote
— @tomedwardsWN 17 January 2013
1:02pm
Alan Amos getting quite angry and says fellow politicians are guilty of saying one thing and "doing another"
— @tomedwardsWN 17 January 2013
1:01pm
We are going to a vote on the motion very soon - real difference of opinion over it
— @tomedwardsWN 17 January 2013
1:01pm
David Thain says "he's made a very poor start but we have to give him a chance to turn it around"
— @tomedwardsWN 17 January 2013
1:01pm
John Smith says the "character assassination" about Bill Longmore in the chamber is "disgraceful"
— @tomedwardsWN 17 January 2013
1:00pm
Lucy Hodgson also cites bad legislation, and says in four years time she hopes the rules will be different
— @tomedwardsWN 17 January 2013
1:00pm
Lucy Hodgson says South Wales and Derbyshire PCCs are appointing deputies via proper recruitment processes - "but it hasn't happened here"
— @tomedwardsWN 17 January 2013
1:00pm
Liz Tucker says we should "draw a line" and start afresh
— @tomedwardsWN 17 January 2013
1:00pm
Liz Tucker "the panel does not have teeth"
— @tomedwardsWN 17 January 2013
12:59pm
But she also says there is "character assassination" going on and that the motion is aimed at the wrong target
— @tomedwardsWN 17 January 2013
12:58pm
Fran Oborski said she voted for Bill Longmore and now regrets it, saying much of the 'condemnation is now right'
— @tomedwardsWN 17 January 2013
12:58pm
There's a strong anti-Longmore feeling in the chamber - but an even stronger one around the Government legislation on PCCs
— @tomedwardsWN 17 January 2013
12:58pm
Coun Clive Smith says the affair is "distasteful" but that "sloppy" legislation is to blame
— @tomedwardsWN 17 January 2013
12:57pm
Lib Dem Sue Askin disagrees and says "it is the legislation that is wrong, it is the legislation we should be attacking today"
— @tomedwardsWN 17 January 2013
12:57pm
McDonald: "It cannot be morally justified"
— @tomedwardsWN 17 January 2013
12:57pm
Peter McDonald: "It is seen as a reward for his help during the election campaign", saying Mr Longmore has "insulted every person" who voted
— @tomedwardsWN 17 January 2013
12:57pm
Hardman says "yet again, reputation of the police is being tarnished" but Longmore broke no laws
— @tomedwardsWN 17 January 2013
12:56pm
Hardman says Conservative and Labour PCCs have done exactly the same - so he's very angry, but won't back the motion
— @tomedwardsWN 17 January 2013
12:56pm
Adrian Hardman says he was appalled at Bill Longmore ignoring the panel's advice - but that the Government legislation is partly to blame
— @tomedwardsWN 17 January 2013
12:56pm
Council leader Adrian Hardman says he will NOT support the motion - more follows
— @tomedwardsWN 17 January 2013
12:55pm
Richard Udall says the PCC role has turned "into a farce"
— @tomedwardsWN 17 January 2013
12:55pm
Richard Udall says Bill Longmore is beginning to resemble "Corporal Jones", saying he's running around screaming "don't panic"
— @tomedwardsWN 17 January 2013
12:54pm
Amos says Bill Longmore has indulged in a "blatant, rampant self serving act of cronyism" and calls him "arrogant"
— @tomedwardsWN 17 January 2013
12:54pm
It's fair to say Bill Longmore is getting an absolute kicking in the council chamber - Alan Amos says the deputy affair is "sorry and messy"
— @tomedwardsWN 17 January 2013
Comments(12)
chapski75
says...
1:05pm Thu 17 Jan 13
To his credit Barrie Sheldon does appear to be the sort of character who'll get things done and I'm sure he resents only getting £50k when his boss is on £75k.
Just shows up the lack of information that was available to allow an educated choice to be made between the candidates. Lessons need to be learnt for the next round of elections to ensure more media attention is given up front. It's certainly getting media attention now it's all gone wrong!
outside-edge
says...
1:34pm Thu 17 Jan 13
chapski75 wrote:What has happened in the last few weeks just shows how badly our political masters have let us down, and how they are letting the Police forces down.
I saw Bill Longmore on the BBC Midlands Today programme yesterday. It is now clear why he needs his deputy! He does not look up to the job. I wasn't expecting a well polished political party candidate groomed for the job, but I also wasn't expecting someone who carries himself with so little confidence and someone who appears to lack the drive necessary to make a difference. His Deputy's prime responsibility will be to keep nudging Mr Longmore during meetings to make sure he's still awake! To his credit Barrie Sheldon does appear to be the sort of character who'll get things done and I'm sure he resents only getting £50k when his boss is on £75k. Just shows up the lack of information that was available to allow an educated choice to be made between the candidates. Lessons need to be learnt for the next round of elections to ensure more media attention is given up front. It's certainly getting media attention now it's all gone wrong!
PCC's were foisted upon us after the last General Election, to a Public that either didn't want and/or have any interest in voting for this position, reflected in the very low turn out.
The legislation needs to be re-considered as it is very obviously flawed. But there is a deafening silence from Messrs Cameron & Clegg even the opposition seems muted.
To me it proves that party politics and conniving should never be mixed up with keeping law & order.
truth must out
says...
2:10pm Thu 17 Jan 13
Maggie Would
says...
2:14pm Thu 17 Jan 13
More Tea Vicar
says...
2:25pm Thu 17 Jan 13
Maggie Would wrote:nor me.
I don't understand the headline either.
broadwas
says...
2:29pm Thu 17 Jan 13
hagleywhinger
says...
4:40pm Thu 17 Jan 13
hagleywhinger
says...
4:43pm Thu 17 Jan 13
pronstar
says...
6:33pm Thu 17 Jan 13
hagleywhinger wrote:Unlike most high profile public figures, I doubt whether Bill Longmore has had any training in dealing with the media; hence his misquote about running a sham election for the deputy's position.
I couldn't agree more with Chapski. Right on the money. I saw Bill Longmore too and tried to assess his personal attributes and qualities, if any. Most people can look at the politicians we see in the media and draw pretty accurate conclusions about whether they have the professional and personal qualities necessary to do the job for which they were elected. The conclusion in Bill's case is definitely not reassuring, despite his escape from the clutches of WCC. In 1958, Cassandra in the Daily Mirror said this about Macmillan's Foreign Secretary Selwyn Lloyd." We have a man in office who is incapable of carrying out his responsibilities. The idiot's lantern is getting too big for its ugly gleam." I would say that's an accurate reflection of the way the majority of people see Bill Longmore. Better stop digging an even deeper hole for yourself Bill, unless you have a death wish. Pack it in and go back to your retirement. Let's hope the ugly gleam of the idiot's lantern is not here for the next few years.
Lew Smoralz
says...
7:23pm Thu 17 Jan 13
If there is any decency left in that party, then they should back off and give our Police Commissioner an opportunity to perform his job.
If he fails, then he becomes fair political game, but I think that this ganging-up and deliberate misrepresentation has not done the Liebours any good with the electorate.
Lew Smoralz
says...
7:27pm Thu 17 Jan 13
If there is any decency left in that party, then they should back off and give our Police Commissioner an opportunity to perform his job.
If he fails, then he becomes fair political game, but I think that this ganging-up and deliberate misrepresentation has not done the Liebours any good with the electorate.
Samboy
says...
10:10pm Thu 17 Jan 13
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