Hearty congratulations to Angus Macpherson, who has been re-elected for a second term as Police and Crime Commissioner for Wiltshire and Swindon.
Voting for the PCC took place in 5 constituencies in Wiltshire and 2 constituencies in Swindon. When the results were consolidated, Angus, the Conservative candidate, had received 56,605 of the first preference votes (45%) compared with his nearest rival, Labour’s Kevin Small, who received 28,166 (22%).
Under the supplementary vote system, as no one had received 50% of the first preferences, all but these top two candidates were eliminated. The second preferences of the unsuccessful Lib Dem and UKIP candidates were then apportioned. The final result gave Angus 68,622 first and second preference votes (64%) while Kevin Small got 39,365 (36%).
In his acceptance speech, Angus described the result as "a vote of confidence in local policing", but added: "That is not to say everything is perfect. "In my second term I will be focusing on the issues raised by the public during the campaign. We can do more for our communities and my job for the next four years is to make sure that we do."
The turnout was nearly 25%, up from 15% in 2012. It is interesting to note that, if the PCC result had been left to the Devizes Constituency alone, Angus would have got in on the first round with 55% of the first preference votes.
Although elections are political, Police and Crime Commissioners are required to take an Oath of Impartiality so that they represent all people without fear or favour.
Thank you to all those of you, who contributed towards Angus’s campaign.