Lisa Nandy MP backs Tony Lloyd, Labour’s Candidate fighting against Police cuts

Wigan MP Lisa Nandy has welcomed the selection of Tony Lloyd as the Labour Party candidate in the Police and Crime Commissioner elections taking place on 15 November. Lisa believes that Tony Lloyd will stand up against Tory and Liberal Democrat  cuts to Greater Manchester Police.

Labour candidates are signed up to delivering on five key pledges:

•  Stand up for communities against the Tories’ 20 per cent cuts to policing and the loss of over 16,000 police officers.
• Keep police on the beat with neighbourhood policing, not hand it over to private companies or leave it only to PCSOs
• Back a strong and swift response to antisocial behaviour. Victims should get a response within 24 hours.
• Be tough on crime, and tough on the causes of crime. We will work in partnership with police, local people and councils to tackle and prevent crime.
• Protect the police from political interference by respecting the independence of the Chief Constable

Lisa Nandy MP said:

“I am delighted that Tony Lloyd has been selected as Labour’s Police and Crime Commissioner candidate and I am confident he will be a strong voice for the area.

“If the Government is determined to push ahead with the creation of Police and Crime Commissioners Labour will not stand back and allow Tory and Liberal Democrat candidates to be cheerleaders for police cuts in Greater Manchester.

“Since this Tory-led coalition came to power we have seen cuts of over 5,000 frontline officers in neighbourhood policing, traffic and 999 response units.

“The Government’s decision to slash the policing budget by 20 per cent will lead to 16,000 fewer police officers on our streets including over 1,500 fewer here in Greater Manchester.

“The Tories should be trying to fight crime and support the police. Instead they are cutting police officers and stripping away vital powers like ASBOs. They don’t have a proper plan to cut crime. You don’t cut crime by cutting the police.

“We need real change from this Government to make our streets safer.”