New Police and Crime Commissioner election now set for August

A NEW election for the Wiltshire and Swindon Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) role will be held in August, following Jonathon Seed’s ‘disqualification’.

The Conservative Party’s candidate for the PCC role was ‘disbarred’ from the election race the day before the result was announced, because of a drink driving offence from 1993.

Council legislation states that the PCC role cannot be officially declared as vacant for two months after the polls have closed.

The election will be held on 19th August, and it has been reported that it will cost tax payers £1.4million.

Jonathon Seed, who was also last week elected as a Wiltshire Councillor for Melksham Without West & Rural, claims that when he applied to be a PCC candidate he believed that he was an eligible candidate and that he had declared his driving conviction to the Conservative Party.

He also says that up until the evening of 6th May – the day of the PCC election – party officials had told him that his drink driving offence did not affect his eligibility to stand as a PCC candidate.

A police investigation has been launched – led by Thames Valley Police – into matters surrounding the election.

About the August PCC election, Wiltshire Council’s chief executive, Terence Herbert, said, “Following the Police and Crime Commissioner election count on Monday (10th May) I have taken appropriate legal advice and spoken with the Cabinet Office, Wiltshire Police and the Office of the Police & Crime Commissioner. There is a clear legal process for me to follow.

“Following the result of the election in my role of Police Area Returning Officer, I declared Jonathon Seed as the Police & Crime Commissioner for Wiltshire. The election was administered in accordance with all relevant legislation and regulations. Mr Seed has publicly indicated that he will not take up that office.

“The legislation states that after a two-month period, beginning on the day after polling day, lapses, a vacancy arises. As Police Area Returning Officer, I must then hold an election within 35 days. Therefore, preparations will now begin to hold an election on 19 August 2021.

“I remain immensely proud of all my staff who worked across the election weekend and although we would not have chosen to run another election so soon, we will ensure that a fair and accurate Police & Crime Commissioner election is once again delivered.

“The council is working closely with the Office of the Police & Crime Commissioner and Wiltshire Police and all officers and staff will continue to work hard to protect residents and make sure that our communities remain safe.

“Given that we are now following a legal process and as Wiltshire Police have asked Thames Valley Police to conduct an “investigation into the circumstances surrounding the 2021 Wiltshire and Swindon Police and Crime Commissioner election”, it would be inappropriate for us to provide any further comment at this time.”