Cllr David Burbage to stand for Police Commissioner in Thames Valley

I'm delighted that Cllr David Burbage, the Leader of the Royal Borough of Windsor and
Maidenhead Council, has decided to put his name forward to be the Conservative candidate for Police and Crime Commissioner in the Thames Valley. The election takes place on November 15th. David served on the Thames Valley Police Authority in 2009/10. But it is his proven value for money credentials as a council leader which makes him such a strong candidate for this new challenge.

He says:

"I am pleased to confirm that I have put my name forward for consideration for the post of Thames Valley Police Crime and Commissioner. This is a role I have both the experience and enthusiasm to deliver, and hope that I can succeed in securing a nomination from the Party to offer my services to Thames Valley residents in November.

"I've been a supporter of better democratic oversight of policing for some time, and although doing a worthy job, current police authority arrangements are invisible and unaccountable to the general public."

"I'm also honoured to have been asked by colleagues at CCHQ to speak on behalf of potential candidates at the ACPO (Association of Chief Police Officers) Conference in Manchester this week. I expect to be on a cross party Question Time style panel on Wednesday, where I can compare senior police officers' understanding of the role under the new legislation and the ever-changing policing landscape. I would like to stress that I've not been selected at this stage, and still need to convince colleagues I am the right man for the job!"

But in Kent there is disappointing news as Colonel Tim Collins has pulled out of the race to be the PCC as he is unable to make the selection meeting. While his inspirational leadership qualiities were proven in the Iraq War there were already some doubts about how enthusiastic he really was about standing for Police Commissioner.