Maybe three and a half months late but earlier this afternoon – 20 August – Conservative Candidate Philip Wilkinson was announced as winner of the election to become Police and Crime Commissioner for Wiltshire & Swindon.
Voting was as follows:
First Round:
Junab Ali (Labour and Co-operative) – 12,971
Julan Malins (Reform UK) – 1,859
Brian Mathew (Liberal Democrats) – 17,966
Mike Rees (Independent) – 25,197
Philip Wilkinson (Conservative) – 32,564
Philip Wilkinson and Mike Rees went through to the second vote.
The total number of valid first and second preference votes cast for the remaining candidates were:
Philip Wilkinson (Conservative) – 37,752
Mike Rees (Independent) – 34,815
Overall – but not surprisingly – the turnout was low at 16.63% with 91,553 votes cast in total.
Terence Herbert, Police Area Returning Officer for Wiltshire, said: “Congratulations to Philip Wilkinson on being elected as Wiltshire and Swindon Police and Crime Commissioner and we look forward to working with him during the coming months and years.
“It has been a busy few months preparing for this unexpected election, and I’d like to thank my team and everyone who provided support for tackling every challenge that came their way with professionalism, commitment, hard work and good humour.”
For the Police, Chief Constable Kier Pritchard said: “I’d like to take this opportunity to congratulate Philip Wilkinson on becoming the new Police and Crime Commissioner for the county of Wiltshire.
“I look forward to working with him and his team on issues he has raised in his election campaign such as making sure Wiltshire receives its fair share of new officers, tackling drug gangs and anti-social behaviour.
“Once Mr Wilkinson has set his Police and Crime Plan, I will ensure my resources are used effectively and efficiently to achieve these priorities.
“The last year and a half has been challenging and unsettling for many due to the COVID pandemic but I will work with the new PCC to ensure our communities feel safe and that policing remains visible within neighbourhoods.”
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