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West Midlands crime commissioner byelection blighted by low turnout West Midlands crime commissioner byelection blighted by low turnout
(35 minutes later)
Labour's David Jamieson has been elected West Midlands police and crime commissioner (PCC) with 50.8% of the vote.Labour's David Jamieson has been elected West Midlands police and crime commissioner (PCC) with 50.8% of the vote.
The turnout for the byelection, triggered by the death of the previous PCC, veteran Labour politician Bob Jones, was 10.3% of the almost two million people eligible to vote – lower than the 12% who elected Jones two years ago. The turnout for the byelection, triggered by the death of the previous PCC, veteran Labour politician Bob Jones, was 10.3% of the almost 2 million people eligible to vote – lower than the 12% who elected Jones two years ago.
The figure is also below the lowest turnout figure posted during the PCC elections in 2012, which was 11.6% in Staffordshire.The figure is also below the lowest turnout figure posted during the PCC elections in 2012, which was 11.6% in Staffordshire.
The poor turnout sparked calls for the process to be reformed, with Labour describing the byelection "a shambles". The cost to the taxpayer of staging the poll has been estimated to be at least £3.7m, which works out at just under £20 for every vote cast.The poor turnout sparked calls for the process to be reformed, with Labour describing the byelection "a shambles". The cost to the taxpayer of staging the poll has been estimated to be at least £3.7m, which works out at just under £20 for every vote cast.
Jack Dromey, shadow minister for policing, said the byelection had been "characterised by costly chaos and a record low turnout".Jack Dromey, shadow minister for policing, said the byelection had been "characterised by costly chaos and a record low turnout".
PCCs, who oversee policing and force budgets, were introduced in England and Wales by the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011. The role was created to increase the police's accountability to the public and boost transparency.PCCs, who oversee policing and force budgets, were introduced in England and Wales by the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011. The role was created to increase the police's accountability to the public and boost transparency.
Dromey described the legislation, which required the byelection to be held within 35 days of Jones's death, as "a shambles", benefiting neither candidates nor the electorate.Dromey described the legislation, which required the byelection to be held within 35 days of Jones's death, as "a shambles", benefiting neither candidates nor the electorate.
He added that Labour was consulting on the future of commissioners, having opposed their original introduction by the government. He said he would await the outcome of that process, due in the autumn, rather than "make a snap decision" as to whether they should be scrapped outright.He added that Labour was consulting on the future of commissioners, having opposed their original introduction by the government. He said he would await the outcome of that process, due in the autumn, rather than "make a snap decision" as to whether they should be scrapped outright.
The Electoral Reform Society (ERS) said the law needed examining and the turnout was "very depressing".The Electoral Reform Society (ERS) said the law needed examining and the turnout was "very depressing".
Chris Terry, a research officer with the ERS, said: "I think it could have been better had more thought been put into the process of how the byelection was run."Chris Terry, a research officer with the ERS, said: "I think it could have been better had more thought been put into the process of how the byelection was run."
Commissioners were first elected in 2012, with an overall turnout of 15%.Commissioners were first elected in 2012, with an overall turnout of 15%.