Liberal Democrat members have selected Paul Varnsverry to be the party’s candidate for the Police and Crime Commissioner election in Northamptonshire in November, despite the fact the party is vehemently against the role.
Mr Varnsverry, a former councillor who lost his post at the last elections, works with policing, security and government organisations across the world.
He has chaired the British Standards committee for police protective equipment since 1998 and has also addressed parliamentary committees and he has worked with the Association of Chief Police Officers and the Home Office.
The Chron understands Mr Varnsverry was ratified as the Lib Dem candidate following a meeting at Kingsley Park Working Mens’ Club last night.
Mr Varnsverry said: “It is a privilege to be selected as the Liberal Democrat candidate for Northamptonshire Police and Crime Commissioner. I fervently believe I have the experience and knowledge to be a strong voice for Northamptonshire residents.
“I know it is crucial that local people have confidence in the police and that the police themselves are grounded in the communities in which they work. My priorities will include early intervention on crime and anti-social behaviour, increasing public confidence and engagement in how our communities are policed, and initiatives to reduce the number of drivers killed and seriously injured on the county’s roads.
“My energies will be focused on making sure that our county is a safer place and that local residents are fully engaged in how our communities are policed.”
Mr Varnsverry, Paul, who was born in Northampton, was Deputy Leader of Northampton Borough Council from 2009 to 2011. He also stood for Parliament in Northampton South at the General Election in 2010.
He will contest the post with Conservative candidate Adam Simmonds, Labour’s prepresentative Lee barron, UKIP’s Jim MacArthur and two independent candidates, matt Stockdale and John Norrie.
The Green Party has said it will not put forward a candidate for the election.
Scott Collins, chairman of Northamptonshire Liberal Democrats Coordinating Committee, said: “I am delighted the Liberal Democrats have selected Paul.
“He is by far the most experienced of the three main candidates – Labour have selected a union man with no experience of working with police forces; meanwhile the Conservatives have gone for a candidate whose only qualification is having worked in a back office role for the Conservatives at Northamptonshire County Council as they have switched off half our streetlights and broken their manifesto pledge by cutting PCSOs. The Conservatives at County Hall have made our county more dangerous.”
The person who is chosen to be the county’s police commissioner will receive a salary of about £70,000.
They will set a police and crime plan, set the force’s budget and appoint the chief constable.
Councillor Brendan Glynane, Leader of the Opposition at Northamptonshire County Council, added: “While we do not support the Conservative-origin policy of introducing police commissioners, the positions exist and it is vital that the public are given the choice to vote for people who have the experience and credibility to provide the kind of leadership that is required.
“If we did not stand a candidate, the election in Northamptonshire would be between two main party candidates with absolutely no experience between them of working with the police.”