PCC ELECTION: Lib Dem Heather Shearer DOESN'T Answer Our Questions

 

No Response From the Lib Dem

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Somerset Independents has been trying to shine a light on ALL of the 5 candidates standing to be the Avon and Somerset Police and Crime Commissioner.

We have tried to be fair to all candidates.

But we have to give special mention to Heather Shearer, the Liberal Democrat Candidate. Why?

Because 80%, 4 out of the 5 candidates, answered our questions. But not Heather Shearer.

Ms Shearer did not answer ANY of our questions. Not one.

So we are giving a special empty page of answers for this candidate.

With the questions that Ms Shearer has failed to answer. Or even to acknowledge. We chased. And chased.

Nothing.

Here are the questions that she didn't want to answer. And she hasn't answered any of them.

Perhaps voters can use this information to help them to make an informed decision on their ballot paper.

 

Questions from Somerset Independents to Heather Shearer, Liberal Democrat PCC Candidate:

1. Please see the article that we published at:

https://www.somerinds.org/2021/03/avon-and-somerset-police-what-does.html

We would like to hear what you think of Ms Mountstevens' responses to our questions - what you agree with, what you do not agree with, and why you think you would do better as PCC?

2. On the BBC "hustings" event with David Garmston, you said, and I quote from the transcript that Somerset Independents has produced:

"Garmston: We haven’t been able to go to funerals…

Shearer: Absolutely.

Garmston: Weddings have been cancelled. So if you have that strict rule on one side and say, oh, well, protest is all right, how can you justify that?

Shearer: It isn’t an easy justification but the right to free speech, and the right to participate…

Garmston: Trumps everything, including Covid?

Shearer: Well, I think it probably did, if they were doing it the right way and keeping their distances…

So I would still protect free speech."

At the 22nd February Full Council, the Chair Councillor Helen Sprawson-White said to my colleague Denise Wyatt:

"I just want to remind all speakers, that I will not allow the naming of specific people, be it councillors or officers or of any specific political group or party. That’s not what we are here for.

Any mention of the above will result in my instruction to the Committee Officer to mute speakers immediately, and I would ask all speakers to be respectful in your comments. speakers would be  muted if they referred to Councillors by name and to officers or political parties or political groups."

How is this statement by a fellow Liberal Democrat consistent with your pledge to "protect free speech"?

If you agree with me that it is not consistent, will you please remind this Councillor of her responsibilities that free speech is a right to all people, and not selected people?

3. Also on the BBC, you said:

Garmston: OK, so if you were PCC, you’re in charge, you’ll be going to that panel, presumably, and asking for extra money, would you not?

No, I absolutely would be, I’m happy to be asking for extra money.

Garmston: So you vetoed it when you were on the panel and now if you were PCC, you would ask for more?

Because the reason it was vetoed last time was that we were not convinced we had seen enough increased performance."

Sorry but your answer makes no sense at all. Perhaps it was because the program was pushed for time.

The change to the proposed budget was marginal in terms of a %age. What promises were you made in the second Police and Crime Panel that convinced you that the budget was now acceptable, when it was not acceptable when I spoke to ask you to refuse it?

4. Please could you read the article on our website about Mendip district councillors who have not paid their council tax, but who have still remained councillors.

https://www.somerinds.org/2021/04/revealed-two-mendip-councillors-paid.html

(a) Do you think it is right that Councillor Hayden and the unnamed councillor have not paid their council tax?

(b) Do you think it is right that they remain as councillors and still vote on matters affecting thousands or even tens of thousands of people?

(c) Do you think it is right that Mendip District has refused to provide us with the name of the other councillor who has not paid?

(d) Would you support our campaign for criminal records (DBS) checks for all councillors, MPs and PCCs?

More information on our campaign is on our website:

https://www.somerinds.org/2020/11/dbs-campaign-latest-mendip-and-taunton.html

Regards,

Andrew Pope

Leader and Spokesperson on Police and Crime

 

 

Heather Shearer's Answers...

 

Nothing. Nada. Zero. Nil. Emptiness.