Sheffield local elections celebration dinner endorses PCC candidate

At a dinner arranged by leaders of the BME community in Sheffield there was unanimous support and wishes of good luck for candidate Kashaf Walayat in the forthcoming PCC elections.

The event held every year was attended by leading members of the BME community as well as the most senior members of the City Council including Leader Julie Dore, Deputy Leader Harry Harpham, two former deputies Steve Jones and Bryan Lodge as well as the Labour group secretary Geoff Smith and numerous Councillors.

Speeches were given by the District Party Chair Paul Wood, City Council leader Julie Dore and Deputy Leader Councillor Harpham who gave an impressive performance concluding as the DLP Chair did with a strong endorsement of Kashaf Walayat as the PCC commissioner Labour candidate.

Mr. Walayat said he was humbled by the massive support of Local members, Party officials and officers, Trade Unionists and the unprecedented endorsement by the majority of Councillors (42 of the 59 in Sheffield area).

Kashaf Walayat wins Sheffield Labour Councillors’ support

With just over a week to go before Labour Party members across South Yorkshire vote for who should be their candidate for Police and Crime Commissioner, Sheffield Councillors are turning to Kashaf Walayat as their choice: over 50 per cent of the 59 Labour City Councillors are now actively supporting Mr Walayat including Councillor Terry Fox the Chair of the Labour group on the City Council.

Paul Wood Chair of Sheffield Labour Party also added his voice to the campaign saying; “I have known Kashaf for over 15 years and having heard all the candidates on two occasions and I am more convinced that he better understands the policing needs of communities and the financial implications of the role. I believe he will deliver the competence and scrutiny the role demands whilst enabling the Chief Constable to improve the operational functions of the force.”

Mr Walayat already has a proven track record in the Police Authority, being a primary mover in the retention of the Police Helicopter, challenging the proposed new structure of the Police Crime Commissioner office functions of Chief Executive and Chief Finance Officer and leading on the issues of visible policing in communities.