News

Khan Juna pulls out of police boss race

By Linda Fort
October 18, 2012

Independent candidate Khan Juna has stepped down from the race to become police boss – saying it is impossible to campaign effectively.

Although arguably the best qualified to do the job as the current chairman of Thames Valley Police Authority, Mr Juna said an independent would need “substantial personal wealth or rich friends” to win the election.

Mr Juna, 59, of Wickford Way, Lower Earley, announced he would be standing to become the first Thames Valley Police and Crime Commissioner in the election on Thursday, November 15 earlier this month.

He said: “It is with great sadness that I have made the difficult decision to withdraw.

“I put my hat into the ring after much soul-searching and after watching increasingly politicised campaigning with candidates ‘on message’ from their party HQs and with no ‘local’ manifesto.

“As a member of the police authority for nine years I was concerned about the possible politicisation of policing in Thames Valley and the subsequent loss of public confidence.

“Despite the Home Secretary’s insistence that she wanted to see high-profile, high-quality candidates from beyond the world of politics, this flawed piece of legislation means that it is impossible for an independent candidate to effectively campaign in an area like Thames Valley with three counties, 21 constituencies and 2.2 million residents.”

He continued: “The hurdles facing independents include the need to provide 100 signatures in support of their nomination, including name, address, voting area and voting number.

“Without a party political ‘machine’ with a network of MPs, councillors and party loyalists practised in campaigning, the 2,200 square miles of Thames Valley presents an impossible challenge.

“The deposit required to stand has been set at £5,000 – 10 times that asked of MP candidates – and the cap on campaign spending is £303,303.”

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Most recent user comments 6 of 6

PR:

You are correct: it is clearly a process designed to restrict candidates to those within the party machine.

When you politicise the police, it is the first step on a dangerous, downhill course.

Tonk, Wokingham
20/10/2012 at 12:04

There is something very wrong with a process that is causing well qualified independent candidates to withdraw.

PoneRana, Wokingham
20/10/2012 at 11:36

I agree with DT.

I cannot see how this post can be anything other than political when the main parties are putting up candidates.

I fear it is another thing imported from the USA. Their police work in a completely different way to our own and we should resist it.

I am not a fan of the Green Party but, I respect them for not getting involved in this farce.

It is a shame that Khan Juna could not have organised some funding and support from local people and businesses. I wonder if its too late: I suspect it is now.

I do question what mandate any winner would have if there is a very low turnout which most people think there will be. If someone gets say forty percent of the vote with only a twenty percent or less turnout, its hardly a democratic mandate is it?

Tonk, Wokingham
19/10/2012 at 20:07

Sorry you've had to withdraw. It's a total farce. If it's any consolation, I shan't be voting for anyone.

Dids, Bracknell
19/10/2012 at 14:17

I wonder what the Government will do when no one actually votes in this 'election'.

LarryS
18/10/2012 at 14:22

I feel for your, sir. The self-interested system has colluded to exclude probably the best-qualified person from this job. Ridiculous, shameful - and, I would suggest, not by accident.