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Brown's ideas are borne of the fear and cynicism of politics

Vic Barlow
28/ 5/2008

HAVE you noticed how politicians under pressure always produce excellent ideas? Sadly, it’s only when their position is under threat they feel the need to give the public what they want.

Gordon Brown’s enthusiasm for more local control of policing only came about following Labour’s crushing defeat at the local elections. It isn’t a miraculous epiphany, it’s FEAR. Fear he and his fat cat ministers will be booted out at the first available opportunity.

In towns all across America residents elect their own chief of police.

If he performs, he gets to keep his job, if he fails to impress, he does not.

It’s that simple. Providing they work within the law, police chiefs have only one master: the public.

Our own chief constables find themselves trapped between those they serve and Whitehall mandarins who have little regard or respect for public opinion.

No one can deny the logic of having local people determine local policing policies. The Prime Minister knows that, but made no effort to acknowledge it until after the disastrous elections.

I shall look forward to the time when the people of East Cheshire choose their own chief and lay down policing priorities.

It will at least remove the feeling that those setting policy have no idea what’s going on.

I can’t see a police chief who fails to respond to emergencies staying in office too long.

(For the record, I believe Cheshire has one of the best chief constables in the country.)

The views expressed on this page are Vic Barlow's and not necessarily those of the Express

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