Could I just point out that the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners' Transitional Board does not speak for all PCC candidates, and I certainly haven't been consulted by Cllr Duckworth on this issue (though I don't disagree with his comments on this occasion). But can we please stop quoting misleading statistics like 20% cuts? In nominal terms police funding is set to regain almost all the lost ground, and when you factor in precept increases the answer is more like 8% in real terms. Actually the illogic of privatistion in the criminal justice system has been apparent for some time - glad the 'experts' are finally catching up, it's just a shame that Police Authorities didn't notice this when they were letting PFI contracts - and I think you'll find comments from me to that effect on this site that predate anything to do with G4S. The bottom line is that commercial organisations may have lower unit costs initially (because the pay is relatively poor) but they always end up making up their margins by increasing their sales volumes to the public sector over time. Is it any wonder therefore that criminal justice agencies are busier than ever, our prisons are full and the public finances are bankrupt? Trust me on this - I'm a businessman! Independent Candidate for Police & Crime Commissioner in North Wales

@Cliff.caswell. Yes it certainly makes sense to widen the range of contributors - my suggestion would simply be to quote more diverse sources in your articles rather than just the usual suspects - Cllr Duckworth ultimately has a Party-political axe to grind and Tim Brain is a former policeman. Find some 'independent' voices to broaden the debate! I tend to contribute to discussion threads on TopOfTheCops at the moment.

I think you will find that Simon Duckworth is a member of the Corporation of the City of London, and has no party political axe to grind.

@Anonymous I beg your pardon - the spokesperson APCC usually quote is Cllr Burns-Williamson OBE, whose comments I thought were quoted in the piece (which is why I was rather surprised to find myself in broad agreement with them!). I will remove the offending reference to Cllr Duckworth as it is open to misinterpretation. The point I am making nevertheless still applies to APCC, and equally to anyone acting as a mouthpiece for APA, APCC or whatever they choose to call themselves in future, including Cllr Duckworth. They are not speaking for a politically neutral organisation, as I think became abundantly clear from the serious and organised resistance to the Police Reform Bill last year, and I doubt whether they will survive very far into 2013 except as an umbrella body for one political party (I'll leave you to work out which one). I note that elected PCCs will nevertheless be forced to "automatically become members" of the APCC in November - so can I cancel my subscription now please?!?

@Cliff Yes it certainly makes sense to widen the range of contributors - my suggestion would simply be to quote more diverse sources in your articles rather than just the usual suspects - APA / APCC ultimately have a Party-political axe to grind and Tim Brain is a former policeman. Find some 'independent' voices to broaden the debate! I tend to contribute to discussion threads on TopOfTheCops at the moment. PS can you delete the original version of this comment as it is open to misinterpretation due to an error on my part - thanks.