It will be one of the most powerful and high-profile roles in the region – elected commissioner of Greater Manchester Police.
Next year, the people of Greater Manchester will be asked to vote for a new police and crime commissioner.
He or she will have the power to hire and fire the chief constable, and supervise the police budget.
The Conservatives say the commissioners, to be introduced in all 41 policing areas of England and Wales, will cut crime, reconnect the police and public and increase accountability.
But critics – including the Labour opposition – say they risk politicising the police and, with salaries of up to £100,000 in the biggest forces like Greater Manchester, will cost too much at a time when resources are needed on the frontline.
Both party political and independent candidates can stand and parties will, in the new year, have to finalise who – if anyone – they will put forward for the posts.
So who is in the running? And what are their chances of taking on one of the biggest jobs in the region?...
The front-runner
The biggest buzz is around Salford MP Hazel Blears. The former cabinet member is publicly insistent the job is not for her - telling the M.E.N. that she wants to continue as MP for Salford. She also jokes that, at 4ft 10ins, she's ‘too small’ to be a commissioner.
If she changes her mind, she would still face resistance within her own party – where certain senior members believe her cheque-waving apology during the expenses scandal has made her ‘damaged goods’ in the eyes of voters.
The Liberal choice
In the Lib Dem camp, locally, the line being pushed is that independent candidates would be worth consideration. Councillors have been frank in saying the elections are not top of their agenda, although one MP did concede it remained ‘very much a live debate’ within the party.
Nationally, the Lib Dems successfully delayed the vote from May – when it would have tied in with local elections – to November next year in an attempt to ‘de-politicise’ it. Among local Lib Dems, only Helen Foster-Grime, the glamorous former European parliamentary candidate, has confirmed an interest.
The respected Tory
In Tory circles, like the Lib Dems, senior local figures have been unable to identify an obvious candidate – although Salford councillor Robin Garrido is emerging as a credible choice. He has historically worked for the police in a back room capacity and been council spokesman on policing. In a Labour-dominated city he also has the respect of those outside his own party.
The incumbent
Paul Murphy, a Manchester councillor and the current chair of Greater Manchester Police Authority – which will be abolished under the reforms – was the first to cautiously throw his hat into the ring, then announce he was no longer interested. That seemed to be that – except that political sources say Coun Murphy would ‘consider it his duty’ to stand should no other Labour names come forward. His GMPA role gives him good credentials, although there are concerns he lacks the clout needed for the job.
The former MPs
The House of Lords has been suggested as a possible source of candidates, although the former MP Keith Bradley – probably the region’s most familiar Labour peer – is said to have no interest.
Ex-Rochdale MP Lorna Fitzsimons is also known to have given the idea of standing for Labour some thought. But the M.E.N. understands she has now almost certainly ruled out the idea of a return to public life for the job.
The famous faces
Another interesting name floated by one high-ranking police officer is Baroness Helen Newlove, the Tory peer from Warrington propelled into high-profile campaigning following the murder of her husband Garry in 2007.
She would resonate with the public and has a record of getting government to take notice on anti-social behaviour. But Greater Manchester is not the obvious place for her to stand – Cheshire, or a force down south, might be more likely.
And what of 'celebrity' candidates? The name of United boss Sir Alex Ferguson – a vocal Labour supporter – has cropped up twice in casual conversation. And while his famed ‘hairdryer’ approach to management would be more than capable of hauling officers into line, he might prefer life at Old Trafford.
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Blears in charge of the police? Heaven help us, not that she stands a cat in hells chance.
The police do not need to politicised even more than they are, this is a god awful idea.
I think someone with a pointy hat and small moustache! when are they voting on it, will it be at the BNP national BBQ?
The whole concept of police commissioners is ludicrous, another layer of bureaucracy to weigh down already over burdened police officers, meaning less time and less money to actually police the streets of Greater Manchester.
How can the coalition claim that they are determined to cut spending and then introduce commissioners? These commissioners are going to be paid a massive salary for interfering in something that they have no understanding of.
(1) Blears .... is it appropriate to have someone with Blear's track record on expense submissions as commissioner of the Police?
(2) I might be a blue but Paul Murphy is not a bad choice and probably a steady hand at the tiller.
(3) Ahem ..Conservatives ... contact me through the MEN if you want me to stand
I say vote for none of the above, How about a independant who knows the police inside out and will deal with the real issues???? I m putting my hat in the ring!!!!!
What about James Worthington Gordon, Sr. he did a great job in Gotham city and would probably like a change.
Jim Anderton.Esq.
Who ever is selected must be able to ensure that Taxpayers money is spent wisely.
No more spending ridiculus sums of money like £100,000 on a painting and £30,000 on three trees.
WE WANT SOMEBODY WHO WILL CHALLENGE A POLICE FORCE THAT HAS HAD IT TOO EASY FOR DECADES.
I note no mention of policies - just personalities.
Also, why is a force "down south" more likely for Baroness Newlove? Is this a typical subconcious, thoughtless comment that Southerners are superior to Northerners?
I'd like to see membership of any political party preventing a person from standing. Have someone who is truly independent.
Pity Benny Hill isnt still alive, mind you we could opt for Frank Spencer
what we need to know is how much the police are being paid by the public and how much they are costing the taxpayer, how many are on leave and sick, how many milking the disability system. we need accountability. all the numbers are there. let's just see them. pass a by-law. are there any bogus bonus schemes. what are their expenses and who approves them? what are the gold plated deals for severance and retirement? another gov boffin won't help that. mind you , having said all that, we expected that with our MP's and found out that the majority were on the fiddle with little repercussions.
Another daft idea from a government which takes the mad axeman approach to its own public spending but lands local people with the bill for its political flights of fancy.
It's just more bureaucracy, more expense and another set of changeover costs.
We could be landed with someone totally unsuitable for the job, someone who has not got a clue about policing or even worse, would use the police force for their own ends. There does not seem to be any way of removing someone unsuitable between elections.
This is a potentially dangerous and completely unnecessary political experiment.
Can I put my name in the hat?
Not Hazel Blears. Her infamy has reached Canadian shores.
Would be a good idea to pick a really good experienced Constable, who has been out in the field and seen it all. Then get rid of all the non required ACC's who just sit and chat rubbish while sipping on their Mocha coffees. Policing needs a radical shake up across the UK, but lets kick start it here in Greater Manchester.
This is yet another disastrous move for our country's police service.
Rather than vote someone in I'd rather vote the role out.
COPLAND !!
Why not throw Mickey Mouse into this mix. He might come cheaper than £100,000 and the change can go towards policing the streets. Haha is it April fools day, can you imagine paying one of the above all that money to sit around doing nothing except feeling more self inportant than they already do. Very funny ...