Veteran MP Tony Lloyd is set to stand for election as Greater Manchester’s first police commissioner.
He would have to give up his Manchester Central seat in the Commons if he was elected for the new job, sparking a by-election.
Mr Lloyd is chair of the Parliamentary Labour Party and is one of the region’s most senior Labour politicians.
He is the first serious contender to emerge for the new post of police and crime commissioner.
The commissioner will be elected by a public vote in November. They will become one of the most high-profile officials in the region, with responsibility for holding Greater Manchester Police and its chief constable to account.
Sources within the Labour party told the M.E.N: “Tony is seriously considering standing and will be making a decision within the next week or so.”
Police commissioners will be elected in 41 force areas. They will replace existing police authorities and have the power to hire and fire chief constables, oversee force budgets and determine local policing priorities.
Their appointment is a flagship policy of the Tory-led coalition government. Although it was initially unpopular among Labour, it is understood the party feels it is important to field a strong candidate to take on the important role.
It is understood Mr Lloyd, 61, who has been an MP in the city for over 28 years, has wide support among local party members.
A former councillor in Trafford, he was initially elected as MP for Stretford in 1983. He became MP for Manchester Central at the 1997 general election, when the Stretford seat was abolished. He has been chair of the Parliamentary Labour Party – the body of Labour MPs - for around five years.
Candidates from all political parties, plus independents, can stand for police commissioner and have until October to declare themselves. Prospective Labour candidates have to nominate themselves to the party by February 17. Labour is expected to declare its candidates in June.
The Liberal Democrats in Greater Manchester are still formally deciding whether to field a candidate at all, although it is understood a number of current and former councillors have expressed an interest.
Salford Conservative councillor, Robin Garrido, is among the Tory names to have been floated for the job. Coun Garrido said he was still deciding whether to put himself forward.
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Well ther's commitment - 'he will give up his Central Manchester seat' IF elected! what about giving it up before to show that you really mean business!
Good news for the constituents of Manchester Central - of which I am one - we'd get a new MP who might at least take a trip up to New Moston!
The last thing the Police need these days is more politicisation and political figureheads....
The powers that be think this will be as successful as the NYPD falling under the control of Bill Bratton as elected Police Chief. But in many of America’s 1000s of police forces the thumb of local politicians has only helped foster corruption rather than an efficient Police service
Knows the city; recognises the issues and problems faced by Mancunians, and has served the people of Manchester for years... gets my vote.
I hope he fails. This is a post which I'd like to see filled by somebody non-party political.
So we're going to have a Police Commissioner, and one of the candidates is called 'Robin'.
Why not go the whole hog an rename Manchester to 'Gotham' and have a bat-signal on the Town Hall?
This will showm the stupidity of Police Commissioners, which will make Policing nothing but a political move to control the Police. Politicians make the law and should keep the hell out of enforcing it.
The Police's job is difficult enough as it is without more jumped up clowns trying to grab power.
Batman and Robin, great theme Cough. The Commissioner of Police (CoP) job should be independent of political party. As I was elected in August into being our Manchester Pride Parade official Queen, I wonder, if I put the cat suit on could I stand in the election as Cat Woman - our safer streets crime fighter.
FFS! Just retire! and the next Commissioner must have the surname Gordon (batman reference if you don't get it)
How much dosh is it it for the winner? MP's are on an average of £230k, including expenses and allowances, is there even MORE to be had in this post?
61 your report says, looks more like 81, give it up Tony and put your feet up, you don't need the cash.
brilliant choice. peoples man.
Whoops, I wrote about the Labour succession on the follow on story ab. the LD. This doesn't mean that I think all parties involved are necessarily indistinguishable- it's just that they don't stand out as individuals as one might hope./