Latest News

Green Party PCC candidate, Martin Schmierer, has warned that the forthcoming local elections could be marred with problems, with two different voting systems being used and added EU referendum election ballots being potentially included.

On May 5th voters will go to the polls across Norfolk to elect their next Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC).

There are also simultaneous local council elections going on in Norwich and Great Yarmouth, while the PCC elections use a form of supplementary voting system. Continue reading “This election could descend into a farce” warns Green Party PCC candidate for Norfolk.

I am very concerned that turnout will not be much higher than last time and I think much of the blame for this must go to the government who introduced this extra layer of bureaucracy. In my experience on the doorstep, There is simply no public appetite for making policing party-political in this way. Residents want the police force to be accountable, not partisan.

After speaking with many residents about this, most people do not know what this role entails. Even though the Electoral Commission, in its report on the elections, stated that the low turnout was “a concern for anyone who cares about democracy“, the lessons do not seem to have been learnt. Continue reading No public appetite for making policing partisan

Earlier this week I was at the manifesto launch of the Green Party. I was proud to be able to contribute to the drafting of this document.

Helping small businesses and tackling rogue landlords were two of the pledges made by the Green Party in Norwich in its manifesto for this year’s local elections. By offering the use of shops and office space at a greatly subsidised rate, the Greens want to encourage new businesses to start up in the city. Continue reading Tackling flytipping in Norwich

As a local councillor in Norwich and the deputy leader of the largest group of Green councillors in the UK, I constantly engage with residents and understand what it means to be accountable to the public. As Police and Crime Commissioner for Norfolk, I would act as an efficient conduit between local residents and the constabulary, and would seek to involve communities more in decision-making.

I have lived in Norfolk since 1994 and have a good understanding of the issues facing the county. I oppose government austerity and cuts to police services; however, I would work hard within existing budget constraints to protect the services that most directly affect communities. I would work to introduce a “late night levy” for licensed premises to fund the additional policing required in areas such as Prince of Wales Road in Norwich. Continue reading Why I want to become Norfolk’s next PCC

I am only one of seven Green Party Police and Crime Commissioner candidates at the next set of elections in May and I think it is vital that the Green Party did have some presence in these elections, not only because it ensures that Green members/ supporters can vote for a party they believe in, but mainly as it allows the Green Party to promote its progressive vision on issues, such as crime and justice.

If the Green Party were not to have stood across the UK, the party would have been denied any voice in these debates and here in Norfolk (a traditionally very conservative county), the debate would likely focus on quite reactionary policies and proposals. Instead, I am able to promote views about greater transparency in the police force, tackling issues surrounding the late night economy zone, prioritising unreported or under-reported crimes, such as domestic violence and rural thefts, dealing with mental health related issues and a host of other policies. Continue reading Why it was important the Green Party stood at this election