The Chamberlain News

Jamieson beats Mosquito to win Labour West Mids PCC nomination

Former MP and junior transport minister David Jamison is on course to become the next West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner after being named as the Labour party candidate for the £100,000-a-year role.

Mr Jamieson’s selection for the PCC election on August 21 will be a bitter blow to Yvonne Mosquito, who was yesterday appointed acting PCC and had been regarded as a favourite to secure the Labour candidacy for the election.

Ms Mosquito, a Birmingham city councillor, had been deputy since November 2012  to PCC Bob Jones, who died earlier this month.

The decision to select 67-year-old Mr Jamieson over Ms Mosquito means that Labour has turned down the chance to have an African-Caribbean woman as its candidate, something that may not play well in some parts of the party.

Labour’s National Executive Committee met yesterday with West Midlands representatives to interview PCC candidates, including Mr Jamieson and Ms Mosquito.

Mr Jamieson was born in Solihull in 1947. Formerly an MP for Plymouth, he served as a Government whip and junior transport minister until quitting parliament in 2005.

He became a Solhull councillor in 2010 and was awarded the cabinet portfolio for transport and highways following the formation of a Liberal Democrat-Labour coalition. In May this year he lost his seat to a UKIP candidate.

Mr Jamieson confirmed that he would appoint Ms Mosquito as his deputy PCC if he wins the election.

Mr Jamieson added: “I am honoured to have been selected as Labour’s candidate for Police & Crime Commissioner, my first vow is to carry on Bob’s good work.

“Bob Jones was an extraordinary man, who achieved a great deal. I pledge to honour Bob’s legacy by continuing his proud record of recruiting Police Officers despite the Government cuts.

“Like Bob I will also oppose and stop the privatisation of any core Policing services. Policing is about cutting crime, not making a profit for shareholders.”

Ms Mosquito’s temporary appointment as acting PCC will last for just over a month, until august 28 when the newly elected commissioner takes over.

She was appointed by the West Midlands Police and Crime Panel yesterday after telling members she believed continuity was important in the police commissioner’s office.

Labour remain favourites to win the PCC election although a low turnout could favour UKIP or independent candidates.