Birmingham citizens should say 'No' to a directly elected mayor in the referendum on May 3rd. Some detailed reasons are given in the previous three postings. But even though the arrangements are slanted towards the result the government wants, at least there is some kind of choice as to whether or not the city ends up with a US style boss.
But there is no such choice for citizens when it comes to a Police and Crime Commissioner. This individual, to be elected on November 15th, will replace the existing Police Authority - a broadly balanced body of people that has consistently maintained one of the lowest precepts in the country and who are more than ready to speak to local groups.
The Police and Crime Commissioner will after November 15th become responsible for the strategic direction of policing throughout the West Midlands. Practically anyone can stand for this position - and probably will since there are few qualifications. There is a budget of £546 million, a resident population of 2.655 million people and an enormous range of issues, many of them very complex.
Another bright idea from a Government intent on increasing the concentration of power. Just wonderful.
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