Is it change for the sake of it?

THE idea of a police commissioner seems, in principle at least, to be built on fairly sound footings.

They will be elected by the public, keep an eye on the performance of the police force, and generally ensure the best interests of everyone are served.

There will even be an elected panel of representatives to keep an eye on the commissioner.

This arrangement sounds rather familiar; similar in fact to the Police Authority – which has someone at the tiller, along with a band of others to offer support.

It seems then, that we are going through a rather costly process of more or less replacing like for like.

Perhaps more pertinent an issue, is whether the public actually care.

If there is no appetite for such a fundamental shake-up of the system, why press ahead with it?

The strength of the argument for police commissioners is that they will be publicly elected.

But if the percentage of said public who actually vote is so small, as is predicted, it is hard to argue we will have a truly representative view of the UK electorate.

Some things are destined to happen. And with John Prescott already suggesting he may go for the position in Hull, it is clear we are already way down the line on this one.

A police commissioner for Cumbria? Well it looks to be an increasing likelihood.

If it does come to pass, it is important we all have our say.

When the destiny of the county is in our own hands, we need to stand up and be counted.