The resurgent Green Party in Gloucestershire may hold the key to who is Gloucestershire’s next Police and Crime Commissioner.

The Greens are not standing a candidate, so with Martin Surl, (who is standing with Lib Dem support) and the Tory candidate Chris Nelson neck and neck in the polls the Green vote may be decisive.

Martin Surl was the only PCC to make the environment part of his policing plan.

Martin was PCC for 8.5 years and was the only PCC in the country who had sustainability of the police force as one of his priorities and has committed that if elected he will reintroduce that priority as one of the guiding principles of the Constabulary.

As part of Martin’s plan, he introduced the largest fleet of electric police vehicles of any police force in Europe, whilst at the same time saving money and making sure there was no detrimental operational impact. Tory PCC Nelson on his first day in office ridiculed the initiative.

Labour’s candidate endorses Martin Surls manifesto.

Labour, who only fielded a candidate at the last minute are trailing in third place in the polls in the PCC election, however in a recent interview their candidate endorsed Mr Surl’s headline manifesto promise of ‘Every crime matters’ and ‘Every victim matters’

Martin said, ‘I suppose I should be flattered; I think it’s an acknowledgement that only I or the Tories can win the PCC election in Gloucestershire.

This job is as much about the person as the party.

I hope my friends in the Green and Labour party will lend me their votes and I will look forward to continuing the good working relationship we’ve already forged.