Caerphilly’s Plaid Cymru candidate Ron Davies has called for the devolution of policing and the transfer of associated funding to the Welsh Assembly.
Mr Davies said giving the Assembly powers over the police has received support from police forces in Wales, the Welsh Local Government Association and by a majority of people in Wales in a recent opinion poll.
He also claimed that Labour agreed with the Tories, who are cutting up to 350 police staff in Gwent alone, that someone in Westminster should have control.
He said: “I am shocked that Labour thinks that the decision to cut a potential 350 police staff in Gwent, which could have a major impact on the safety of people in Gwent, should be taken by the Tories in Westminster. That is a betrayal of our communities that should not be rewarded.
“Labour has shown throughout this election that they do not understand crime prevention. The fact that Labour is backing the Tories on where cuts to the police force serving the Caerphilly constituency should be made is unforgivable.
“In contrast to Labour’s support I don’t think we should ever trust the Tories with policing in Caerphilly. I am extremely concerned that these cuts will put huge pressure on the police who do a very good job in difficult circumstances for towns like Caerphilly, Bargoed and Ystrad Mynach.”
I don't suppose Ron Davies has bothered to read Labour's Manifesto – why should he – but if he did he would discover that Policing is very important to us, as our commitment to substantially increase the number of PCSOs show. He says that we should never trust the Tories but Plaid Cymru are the Party that has failed to give an assurance that they would not seek a coalition with them. As we get nearer the Election Ron's promises get wilder.
Like Ron Dacies I don't trust the Tories with policing. Trouble is I don't trust Plaid Cymru either. Policing itself should be devolved from party political dogma. The faceless police authorities should go too.
The sooner we have a police commissioner, directly elected by the public, the better.
Another riveting piece of fiction from Ron Davies, I suggest that when he loses this election he might go into writing. Since I see that neither Cuthbert nor Labour has been given a right to respond, I thought I might investigate. I found that the below was posted on this blog
http://www.polfedwales.co.uk
on the day (and indeed within hours)of e-mails from the Police Federation starting to come through.
Jeff Cuthbert says:
13/04/2011 at 12:36 pm
Thank you all for your e-mails and comments to me as the Labour Candidate for Caerphilly, voicing your strong feelings about policing. I find some of your comments on the blog heart-wrenching, as I truly value the role that our police force plays in keeping our communities safe.
Your hard work has been reflected in the fact that crime is down by more than a third; violent crime is down by over 40 per cent and the risk of being a victim of crime is the lowest since 1981.
I am greatly concerned at the cuts which the Tory-led UK Coalition Government is imposing on our police force- cuts which could result in a reduction of 1,600 police officers and staff – many of them the most skilled and experienced we have. As a Labour candidate I believe that these cuts are too deep and too fast and have the potential to undo all the good work which was done to make our communities safer.
The fact that these cuts are steepest in the first few years also means that police forces do not have the time to plan and deliver sustainable change. Instead the frontline is being hit – despite the promises made before the general election.
Unfortunately we as AM’s we cannot make up for these cuts in the Assembly, but I am pleased that Welsh Labour has pledged to fund an extra 500 PCSOs in the next Assembly to support our police officers in the crucial role that you perform across Wales.
Whilst policing and the issues covered by the Windsor and Hutton report are not devolved, Welsh Labour is determined to do all it can to oppose the savage cuts to our police and as a Party we continue to call on the Tory-led Government to change course and reverse this threat to frontline policing in Wales.
Jeff Cuthbert
Ron would have known this if he had actually followed the directions in the e-mails from the police. I guess he was too busy thinking up his latest PR stunt.
What a load of drivel – this is a less a justification from Ron Davies about why he believes policing powers should be devolved to Wales; more a vindictive rant against his former party.
It just goes to show what a bitter and confused old man he has become. No wonder he's losing in Caerphilly, and losing badly.
Alex they have began calling you Alex Silly around town now – keep taking the tablets and go and lay down in a cool dark room. You 'll feel much better in the morning. …
David- Disrespect is becoming what we readers have come to expect from Plaid Cymru supporters when they are losing the argument, in one blog you say that issues need to be `thought through` but on this one I notice you, as a supporter of Ron Davies`s view, appears to be one we are all expected to accept? No further thought, no further debate, you realy have to be consistant if you want people to listen to your side of a debate, and drop the disrespect, you are letting yourself down!!!!!
Disrespect David, you probably dont know Alex and I have never heard this said around the town!!!
Thats what happens when Plaid Cymru lose their arguments.
It would seem obvious to anybody reading David Hughes' comments that he is determined to drag the level of debate into the gutter by hurling personal insults and lies at anybody who dissagrees with him. The comments on these pages should be about Ron Davies' arguments (or lack of)over delovution of policing powers. Ron Davies argument however is extremely vague and most of his press release is concerned with attacking the Labour Party and he doesn't try and justify his view on the matter. The term 'clutching at straws' springs to mind. Thus far he has not come up with any substantial policy or headline grabbing inititive. He and the rest of Plaid Cymru are just hell-bent on villifying the Labour Party. Grow up Plaid and talk about the real issues that matter to people living in the constituency.
Trefor – I am not the one who needs to show respect – it's Alex for calling one of the finest minds in Welsh politics 'confused' !
David, Ron Davies, a consumate and respected `politician` yes, confused? yes, or, he certainly has been confused in his approach to his own political `platforms` over the past few years.
However, I still think, as do you, that he is a politician worth listening to, however, to disagree with him is also a healthy position to take, `thats politics`.
Let all keep it calm and respectible, and perhaps, whoever it is, the right man, or woman, will be elected to represent us at the Assembly.
Incidentally, I totally disagree with Ron Davies position on the issue of Police and I have told him so, for his part he is always willing to debate anything one may raise with him, thats my experience, there is no need for me to get het up, he does`nt.
@David Hughes, your personal attacks are a disgrace.
Frankly, the simple fact is that policing is going to be cut thanks to our terrible deficit, and devolution will not change that. In fact, if devolution did occur, we would only blame those who did have the power, the Welsh Assembly Government. Presenting devolution as a solution to our problems is wistful and misleading, and frankly an insult to the intelligence of voters.