New Police and Crime Commissioner Alan Hardwick says the Government intended to “politicise policing” through last week’s elections - but failed in Lincolnshire.
Speaking to the Journal today, Mr Hardwick agreed that running as an independent had helped in the election as people in Lincolnshire turned their back on candidates running on behalf of political parties.
Mr Hardwick said: “I’m delighted that the people of Lincolnshire saw through the Government’s plan of politicising policing and elected me, an independent.
“Policing and politics do not mix. I said that throughout my campaign.”
In Lincolnshire Conservative candidate Richard Davies and Labour candidate Paul Gleeson were knocked out in the first round of voting.
READ THE FULL INTERVIEW WITH ALAN HARDWICK IN THIS FRIDAY’S GRANTHAM JOURNAL.