Former Welsh Secretary and Caerphilly councillor Ron Davies has confirmed his interest in standing for election as a Police Commissioner.
Speaking to Caerphilly Observer after the publication of a speculative piece in the Western Mail, Mr Davies admitted his interest in becoming Gwent’s Police Commissioner.
He said if he did stand, it would be as an Independent candidate and not as a Plaid Cymru one.
He said: “It’s not something I’ve instigated. I have had a number of conversations with a number of people suggesting I should run and I have given the matter some consideration, but nothing more than that.
“It is very much up to Plaid as a party how they can deal with it.
“As a party, we are opposed to politicising the police and that begs the question will Plaid decide to put up party candidates.
“My view is they shouldn’t, but of they do that’s the end of it. The next step is for Plaid to decide how we are going to respond.”
Mr Davies said that if Plaid would back independent candidates, that would make him further consider standing.
He said: “I would give the matter more detailed consideration, but I can’t make a firm decision.”
Elections will be taking place across England and Wales this November to elect Police Commissioners after the UK Government introduced the scheme.
Many have criticised the move claiming it will politicise the role of the police. Critics have included the Welsh Government, Caerphilly MP Wayne David and the Gwent Police Authority.
Mr Davies said he is strongly opposed to the idea of a political element in the role of Police Commissioner and that decisions made about policing should not be driven by party politics.
A Plaid Cymru statement issued to the Western Mail said: “Plaid Cymru has several criteria for what would make a good Police Commissioner in Wales. They should be people who support Welsh control of the criminal justice system from start to finish, should put the welfare of the wider community first and should be against the politicisation of the police force.
“We would welcome making contact with any candidate who meets these criteria and wants to stand for election as police and crime commissioners as an independent, non-partisan candidate.
“If four such candidates can be found around Wales, one for each police force area, then Plaid Cymru would support these candidates.
“If, however, such candidates did not come forward, then we will put forward our own candidate so that electors would have the opportunity to support the above aims that must be represented on the ballot paper.
“We therefore invite members of the public who support our aims on policing to come forward and help ensure effective and improved policing for our communities.”
Plaid Cymru states, "They (The police commissioners) should be people who support Welsh control of the criminal justice system from start to finish… and should be against the politicisation of the police force." This is surely an oxymoron?
The election of a police commissioner has nothing to do with Plaid's wider aim of a separate, independent Wales with its own judiciary and police force. The commissioner will have to work within the present system where the legal system is shared with England.
What Plaid seems to be saying is that they want their man or woman in charge, someone who is going to work on behalf of their political aims. To make sure we 'get it' the Plaid spokesperson goes on to say,
"If, however, such candidates did not come forward, then we will put forward our own candidate"
Quite clearly then, Plaid want the police commissioners of Wales to be in their pocket. This is not, hopefully, how things are going to work. I want to see an elected commissioner who does not have to look over their shoulder to see if their political puppet master shows approval of the way they are managing the police. This is how they do things in Zimbabwe or Saudi Arabia, the people of Wales deserve better.