WITHIN the current economic climate, it is inevitable that the newly appointed Police and Crime Commissioner will have to make fundamental, strategic decisions on policing in Gwent. Ian Johnston is the person to make the right decisions. Being a resident of Gwent, surely an essential prerequisite for PCC candidacy, Ian is best placed to assimilate and analyse our needs.

Alongside a highly distinguished career with Gwent Police, Ian has also interacted with central government at the highest levels in the examination of all aspects of policing within modern society. Any aspiring commissioner would surely relish such a CV. His understanding of policing at all levels is quite outstanding. Ian Johnston is fully independent, personally funding his candidacy. The thought of any future commissioner having a political connection and, therefore, obligation does not rest easy. Politics must be kept out of policing.

Jeff O’Reilly, Croespenmaen