2014 West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner by-election explained

Election Name:2014 West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner by-election
Type:parliamentary
Country:United Kingdom
Seats For Election:Position of West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner
Ongoing:no
Previous Election:2012 England and Wales police and crime commissioner elections
Previous Year:2012
Next Election:2016 England and Wales police and crime commissioner elections
Next Year:2016
Election Date:21 August 2014
Candidate1:David Jamieson
Image1: Lab
Party1:Labour Party (UK)
Popular Vote1:102,561
Percentage1:50.8%
Candidate2:Les Jones
Party2:Conservative Party (UK)
Popular Vote2:54,091
Percentage2:26.8%
Candidate4:Keith Rowe
Image4: UKIP
Party4:UK Independence Party
Popular Vote4:32,187
Percentage4:15.9%
Candidate5:Ayoub Khan
Image5: LD
Party5:Liberal Democrats (UK)
Popular Vote5:12,950
Percentage5:6.5%
Swing5: 6.0%
PPC
Posttitle:Subsequent PPC
Before Election:Brynmor John
Before Party:Labour Party (UK)
After Election:Kim Howells
After Party:Labour Party (UK)
Turnout:10.38% (1.58%)

The 2014 West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner by-election was a by-election for the position of Police and Crime Commissioner in the West Midlands Police region of the United Kingdom, held on 21 August 2014. It was triggered by the death of Bob Jones, the inaugural West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner, who died on 1 July 2014.[1] [2] [3]

The election had to be held with 35 working days of the vacancy by virtue of Section 51 of the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011.[4] On 4 July 2014, Birmingham City Council, who oversaw the election, confirmed that the poll would be held on 21 August 2014.[5]

Candidates

On 25 July 2014, Birmingham City Council published the statement of persons nominated, which confirmed that four people had been validly nominated to stand:[6]

Results

Jamieson won the election with 50.83% of first preference votes on a turnout of 10.38%.[12] Turnout ranged between 9.78% in Sandwell to 11.58% in Solihull.[13] Alexandra Runswick, director of the pressure group Unlock Democracy, said that "few voters knew that the election was happening and even fewer cared".[13] The previous lowest turnout for a large-scale by-election in the United Kingdom since the Second World War was 18.2%, in the 2012 Manchester Central by-election.[13]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 'His shoes will be a huge pair to fill': Temporary commissioner to be chosen following Bob Jones' tragic death. Express and Star. 2 July 2014.
  2. Web site: West Midlands PCC Bob Jones dies aged 59. BBC News. 2 July 2014.
  3. Web site: West Midlands PCC Bob Jones CBE dies suddenly, aged 59. Thin Blue Line. 2 July 2014.
  4. http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2011/13/section/51 Section51 PRaSRA
  5. Web site: sarahk . Police and crime commissioner . . 4 July 2014 . 30 July 2014.
  6. Web site: Statement of Persons Nominated PCC By Election 2014 . Birmingham City Council .
  7. http://www.birminghampost.co.uk/news/regional-affairs/ex-mp-david-jamieson-secures-labour-7425246 Ex-MP David Jamieson secures Labour nomination for police commissioner post
  8. http://labourlist.org/2014/07/labour-announce-their-candidate-for-police-and-crime-commissioner-in-west-midlands-by-election/ Labour announce their candidate for Police and Crime Commissioner in West Midlands by-election
  9. http://www.stourbridgenews.co.uk/news/11360318.Former_Dudley_Council_leader_eyes_up_police_and_crime_commissioner_job/ Former Dudley Council leader eyes up police and crime commissioner job
  10. http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/ayoub-khan-barrister-who-gave-7461110 "Barrister who gave first aid to gun attack victim to stand as police boss"
  11. http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/ukip-announce-candidate-crime-commissioner-7466173 UKIP picks Birmingham boss as crime commissioner candidate
  12. Web site: West Midlands PCC named as David Jamieson in 10.3% turnout election . BBC News . 22 August 2014 . 22 August 2014.
  13. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-28880047 The least popular election ever?