Wiltshire's Independent PCC candidate to stand for election re-run
There's just under two months until residents take to the polls again
Mike Rees, the Independent candidate who ran in the Police and Crime Commissioner election in Wiltshire earlier this year, has confirmed he will stand again in August's re-election.
Mr Rees came fourth in the last count after getting over 31,500 votes.
He called the last process an "eye opener" and said it took much deliberation and discussion with his family before deciding to run again.
Mike firmly believes that the role of the PCC shouldn't have any political allegiance.
On Facebook, Mike said:
"The last election process was an eye opener to say the least and I still think it's an appalling waste of public money that it has to be run again - something which could and should have been avoided.
However, I’m so appreciative of the support I received, and it is this which has motivated me to stand again.
I have my views around the existence of the PCC role, but firmly believe that if there is to be one, it should not be filled by a politician with allegiance to a political party.
I’m under no illusion about the task before me and I need even more support and backing to have any chance of securing a majority this time around."
The people of Wiltshire and Swindon will take to the polls again on August 19th, after Conservative candidate Jonathon Seed won the last election, but pulled out of the race just a day before the declaration due to an old driving conviction.
So far, Liberal Democrat candidate Liz Webster, who came second in the last count, has confirmed that she is not going to be running again.
She will be replaced by Cllr Brian Mathew.
Mr Rees told Greatest Hits Radio:
"I'm not doing this for any prestige, I don't need self promotion or the next level of job, but someone needs to make a stand here and fight back. Policing is supposed to be neutral, I understand policing I know a lot of the PCCs wouldn't have a clue about policing but I did 30 years, I understand what police officers are going through, I understand what the public want, I understand what victims want. As an Independent I would be working for the public, the police, the victims and not the government."
The first election earlier this year is currently being investigated by Thames Valley Police.