Government policing u-turn welcomed (Leeds Liberal Democrats)

Leeds Liberal Democrats <info@leedslibdems.org.uk>

Government policing u-turn welcomed

December 18, 2008 12:00 AM

Cllr Richard Brett, Joint Leader of Leeds City Council has today welcomed the decision by the Home Secretary to drop proposals for direct elections to police authorities.

The proposals, expected to form part of next year's Policing and Crime Bill were opposed by local politicians from all mainstream political parties across the country. Chief amongst these concerns were fears that existing partnership work between the police and local authorities would be undermined and that police authorities could be hijacked by extremists.

Cllr Brett (Lib Dem, Burmantofts and Richmond Hill) said:

"These proposals would have been disastrous for the independence of West Yorkshire Police. Only a month ago all three major political groups on Leeds City Council voted to support a motion opposing the government's proposals, and the Local Government Association has, on an all party basis, taken a strong lead in lobbying against the plans.

"I am glad the government has listened and I hope that we do not see these ill thought out proposals brought back in another guise in the future."