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31
Oct 2021
Police commissioner: Who is standing to succeed Philip Allott in North Yorkshire?
Political parties have been announcing their candidates for the upcoming North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner election. Voters will head to the polls on November 25.
Philip Allott, North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner.
Following the resignation of Philip Allott, voters will head to the polls again in November to elect a new North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner.
Political parties have been announcing their candidates for polling day.
An election will be held on November 25. Voters have until November 9 to register to vote.
Here are the candidates announced to contest the commissioner position.
Zoe Metcalfe, Conservative
Harrogate and North Yorkshire councillor, Zoe Metcalfe, will be standing for the Conservative party.
Ms Metcalfe said she “will focus on improving safety for women and girls across North Yorkshire, supporting victims of crime and tackling serious and organised crime”.
She said:
“I am delighted to be selected as the Conservative Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner candidate for North Yorkshire.
“I am passionate about making our communities and societies safe, especially for women and girls, on the streets and at home, day and night.
“People living and working across North Yorkshire want to feel safe and have full confidence in their police and fire services.
“I can assure people I will stop at nothing to ensure both services are the best they can possibly be for the benefit of everyone across the county.”
Emma Scott-Spivey, Labour
23-year-old Emma Scott-Spivey, who was born and went to school in Harrogate, will contest the role for Labour.
Ms Scott-Spivey said she would prioritise tackling violence against women and girls, as well as county lines drugs gangs and crackdown on crime against the elderly, if elected as commissioner.
She said:
“The police are facing unprecedented challenges – not just from savage cuts to funding but also due to a breakdown in trust. That trust must be rebuilt and the damage done by Phillip Allott must be repaired.
“People in North Yorkshire need a commissioner who recognises their concerns and works to address them. One who puts local people above party politics.
“And our police and fire services must have a commissioner who they can trust, who understands the sacrifices they make every day and the pressures the face. They need a commissioner who will fight to make sure they have the resources they need to keep us safe.”
James Barker, Liberal Democrats
City of York councillor, James Barker, has put himself forward for the commissioner’s office.
Mr Barker, who served in the military for 24 years, also stood for the role in May.
At the last election, he told the Stray Ferret that he wanted to “explore why” more officers were not on the frontline and pledged to tackle anti-social behaviour in Ripon.
Mr Barker said:
“We are England’s largest county but not everyone is truly represented. How often do you see a copper?
“I want to explore reasons why we cannot get more coppers on the streets. I want to try and release more to the frontline.”
Keith Tordoff, Independent
Keith Tordoff, the former Pateley Bridge businessman, has decided to stand again for the commissioner’s office.
Mr Tordoff said the commissioner’s role needed to be “somebody who is not affiliated to a political party”.
He added that he would also tackle anti-social behaviour and make police officers more visible in communities.
He said:
“It needs strong leadership and it needs somebody with experience.
“I have got police experience and business experience.”
Dr Hannah Barham-Brown, Women's Equality Party
Dr Hannah Barham-Brown has said that if she is elected her first step would be to launch an independent inquiry into misogyny and sexism in North Yorkshire Police.
Mandu Reid, leader of the Women’s Equality Party, has said that ending gender-based violence "must be at the heart of this election".
Dr Barham-Brown is well-known for her campaigning work on both women’s and disabled people’s rights. She said:
“Women and girls in North Yorkshire deserve to live their lives free from the fear and the threat of violence, and that is why I am contesting this election.
“We were let down by Philip Allott as our PFCC who proved he didn’t understand the importance of ending violence against women and girls with his disgraceful, victim blaming comments.
“But our community did not accept that and now it’s time to finish the job.”
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