Where are they now?

Our vast army of correspondents has revealed an interesting titbit. Former Newham mayor, Sir Robin Wales has been selected to stand as Labour’s Police and Crime Commissioner candidate for Suffolk in this May’s election.

We understand that he has a small Tory majority to overcome, something in the region of 50,000 votes, but given the current anti-Tory climate anything is possible. 

Wales is quoted: “Politicians always promise to cut red tape and bureaucracy but seldom do. I can prove that I have done it and will do it again. Politicians are not good at keeping their promises but I have published a book (Left, Right, Wrong) outlining what I did, with evidence so you can check my promises out for yourself.” 

We shall be watching the events in Suffolk with interest. The role of police and crime commissioner is still rather new and has had mixed results. In some places it simply adds a level of bureaucracy, but it offers the chance to make radical and lasting improvements to local policing.

We are not sure whether the voters of rural East Anglia are ready for such changes yet, but we will be watching Robin’s progress with interest.