Yahoo News Conservative Chris Nelson re-elected as Gloucestershire police and crime commissioner
Conservative Chris Nelson has been re-elected as police and crime commissioner for Gloucestershire by a margin of just 1,486 votes. The former Cheltenham Borough Councillor polled 47,838 ahead of his predecessor Martin Surl on 46,352.
Labour’s Ashley Smith was third with 35,069 votes while Independent Matthew Randolph polled 15,240. Mr Nelson, who was not wearing a blue rosette, said he will work for all residents irrespective of their political colours.
He thanked all the election count voters, volunteers and his supporters. “It has been an extremely close election, so thank you to all of you,” he said. “Also to my lovely wife Emma who has been at my side throughout.”
He said he was not wearing a blue rosette because he wants to emphasise he will represent all residents in the county whether they voted for him or not.
“Given it was such a close election it behooves me not to wear a rosette and not make this a political appointment and to do my best to represent the interest of every single resident.
“I just want to work with the chief constable and all my excellent staff to try and try and take the force to be one of the best in the country. I will work extremely hard to do that.”
Total number of ballots cast across the county was 146,357. Turnout was 29.5%
