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A failed experiment is being ended – but is it for the right reason?

Here’s the BBC:

“Police and crime commissioners (PCC) are to be scrapped in England and Wales to save £100m over this parliament’s term, the government has said.

“The home secretary called the system a “failed experiment” – and less than 20% of voters can name their PCC, the Home Office said.

“There are 37 elected commissioners under the current system, introduced 12 years ago to improve police accountability. Their main responsibilities include setting an annual budget, appointing chief constables and producing a policing plan.

“One PCC described the move as “deeply” disappointing, and the shadow home secretary said the government was “tinkering around the edges” while “failing on crime and policing”.

“When the commissioners’ terms end in 2028 the role will move to an elected mayor or to council leaders.

“Scrapping the role would allow for an extra £20m of investment in front-line policing every year, the Home Office said, enough for 320 constables.”

Okay, police and crime commissioners haven’t been particularly successful, but is this Labour preventing a series of elections in 2028 that would probably have led to Reform UK representatives being elected a year before the next general election – in the same way that reorganising several councils this year (2025) also stopped Reform getting a foothold in them?

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