Tony Hogg elected Devon and Cornwall Police and Crime Commissioner

TONY HOGG, the Conservative candidate, has been elected Devon and Cornwall's first police and crime commissioner…

The election result – originally expected at 8pm – was delayed until 12.20am because in the first round none of the ten candidates received more than 50 per cent of the vote. Consequently a second-round vote had to be counted.

In the first round, Tony Hogg received 55,257 votes, less than 50 per cent of the first preference votes. In the second round, he received, 69, 419 votes, 35.24 per cent of the vote after second preferences were added.

The Independent candidate Brian Greenslade came second with 37,243 votes after second preferences were added.

The aim of the new role, which replaces the current Devon and Cornwall Police Authority, is to make the South West's police force more accountable. The new commissioner will also determine the force's budget and the priorities of local police forces.

Tony Hogg begins his new role next week. In his victory speech, he indicated that he thought the Devon and Cornwall Police were a good force, he would work together with them and he will help to support them through challenging times.

Poor turnout

The Devon and Cornwall election result came amid a national picture of poor turnout at the polls. Media coverage indicated that many people in England and Wales had no idea that the election was taking place on Thursday 15 November, what was being decided or who their respective candidates were.

Devon and Cornwall's voter turn-out was low but near the national average. Around 1.3 million people were eligible to vote in the region. Cornwall Council – which was overseeing the vote at the Carn Brea Leisure Centre in Redruth – said that the total number of ballot papers verified was 196, 987. The turnout was 15.14 per cent, varying between 13.3 per cent in Plymouth and 17.46 per cent in West Devon. Nationally the turnout varied between 13 and 20 per cent, with an average of 14.5 per cent.

A total of ten candidates stood in the Devon and Cornwall election. Eliminated on first preference votes were: Brian Blake (Liberal Dem), Graham Caderwood (Ind), Ivan Jordan (Ind), Tam Macpherson (Ind), William Morris (Ind), John Smith (Ind), Robert Smith (UKIP) and Nicky Williams (Lab).

A review of why the turnout was so low across the country is to be carried out by the Electoral Commission. Its findings will be presented to Parliament early next year.

Futile exercise or democracy in action? What did you think of the first elections for Devon and Cornwall's police and crime commissioner? Tell us here on Devonport People...