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Police reform and social responsibility Bill

I meant ““commissioners””. In the time left, I would like to deal with a few of the objections raised today. People listening to this debate in the Gallery could be forgiven for thinking that only the Conservatives want to reform police authorities. This is simply not true. As I said in an earlier intervention, the case for reform of police governance has been made across the political spectrum. There is party consensus in favour of the democratic reform of police authorities, although I accept that there are differences about the best model. I have read out the Lib Dem manifesto, but I ask Members to consider the following quote:"““Only direct election, based on geographic constituencies, will deliver the strong connection to the public which is critical””." It continues:"““under the current system, 93 per cent of the country has no direct, elected representation. This is why we have proposed the Green Paper model; so that people know who to go to and are able to influence their policing through the ballot box.””" Those are not my words, but the words of the hon. Member for Gedling, the shadow policing Minister, in a speech in 2008.