My pledge to police voters (From South Wales Argus)

My pledge to police voters

4:17pm Thursday 1st November 2012 in Letters

IN RECENT years we have seen some, in what might be termed the establishment, acting as if they were above the law. Rogue bankers, MPs expenses, phone-hacking and alleged police cover-ups have all highlighted abuse of power.

It is then, no wonder among my election opponents that a former police officer thinks bashing politicians will win votes, while a politician questions the suitability of an ex-officer to hold the police to account. They are failing to see the bigger picture. People are rightly demanding a higher standard from everyone in a position of power. So, while my opponents bicker over their suitability, I am putting the power in the hands of the people by pledging to make available as much crime and financial raw data as possible so that you have the power to audit the force at any time.

When it comes to care for victims of crime, I accept that statistics alone will not tell the whole story, so I will put together a panel to audit Gwent Police’s care of victims, which will produce a regular public report.

Nick Webb, Conservative candidate for Gwent Police and Crime Commissioner