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PCC - Coggle Diagram
PCC
The elections
These elections historically have been largely dominated by the Labour and Conservative parties who make up all, but two of the current PCCs (with the other two being held by Plyaid Cmyr) [2].
Turnout for these elections has been low but improving. In 2021 the turnout was just 33% across England and Wales, with this being boosted by higher tunrout in Wales [3].
However, this poor performance is better then the first PCC elections in 2012 which saw a turnout of less then 15% of eligable voters [4]. This did lead to questions being raised over the value of the elections and of the role, but attempts have been made to improve knowledge of the role and improve turnout.
Turnout in these elections was higher in 2021 then the turnout in the 2023 local elections (32%) [5], although this differences is minuite and likely reflects yearly changes in turnout and not differening levels of turnout for local and PCC elections.
Both the PCC elections and the Local elections both drastically underscore the General Election turnout from 2019 which was just over double the turnout of the last PCC elections at 67.3% [6].
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Possible results
Tradiationally these elections have been dominated by the Conservatives with them winning the majoirty of PCCs in each of the last elections [2].
These earlier elections were held in a political climate where the Conservatives were more trusted on Law and Order issues with them having a 22 point lead over Labour in 2021 (37%-15%) [7].
However, this Januray 2023 YouGov have recorded a sustained lead by Labour on this issue with current polling suggesting a lead of 5 points on the issue [7].
If this polling lead is sustianed by Labour then this could lead to a swing in the PCC make up of England and Wales with Labour either reducing or removing the Conservtive PCC majority.
What do they do
PCCs have four main roles: overseeing police spending in the area (i.e. over seeing police spending in Somerset and Avon), appoint the chief constable of the local police forces, lead police community enagement and work with local governemnt and civic society to implement improvements in policing [1].
Effectivly their job is to offer democratic oversight of the police force and to encrouge people to work with policing in the UK to improvement it.
Although they appoint the chief constable both roles are meant to be impartial meaning that cheif constables should not be selected (and fired) based on party reasoning, instead their position should be determined by competence [2].
In a few areas the PCC has seen expansion of powers to cover fire and rescue along side policing [2].
Intro
The role was created in 2011 by the Conservative-Lib Dem coalition [2] and the next set of elections for the role will be occurring on the 2nd of May alongside the elections for councils and mayors.
Not every policing area will be having PCC elections as a few areas have the powers of the PCC incorporated into the role of the mayor of the combined authority [2].