A MAN hoping to become Gwent’s first police and crime commissioner has hit out at the UK government’s decision not to fund a mail-shot for candidates.
Retired senior policeman and independent candidate Ian Johnston says the move puts him at a disadvantage compared to his Labour rival Hamish Sandison.
However Mr Sandison has also been critical of the situation, saying that his party can’t afford a mailshot either.
A group of independent candidates for the elections in England and Wales have urged the government to change its mind, saying polls will be unfairly weighted in favour of political hopefuls backed by parties.
Candidates have a right to at least one publicly-funded electoral communication posted to every household during parliamentary campaigns.
The Home Office has said people will be able to look up candidates online for the November police and crime commissioner (PCC) elections.
Mr Johnston said he would be disadvantaged compared to Mr Sandison, with Labour activists and supporters able to distribute leaflets.
He said: “What about families with no internet? Who will pay for the printing materials? For independents it’s down to the individual.”
He said he reckoned the campaign was going to cost him £12,000 – £4,500 for producing 200,000 leaflets and £5,000 of for the deposit required to be a candidate, which he will get back if he gets five per cent of the vote.
However,MrSandison said themove will create a democratic deficit.
He said: “We can’t afford a mailshot either. We are raising funds from ordinary members to try to finance our campaign. There are no funds in the party for PCC elections anywhere in England and Wales.”
A Home Office spokeswoman said every household will get information about the November elections from the Electoral Commission.
She added: “Information about every candidate will be published online and, for anyone who wants it, delivered in written form.”
Other than Mr Sandison and Mr Johnston, retired policeman Chris Wright has also declared himself as a candidate in the Gwent election.
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