PCC leaves Tories in fight for fairer funding

Lincolnshire's police and crime commissioner (PCC) says he will leave the Conservative Party and serve out the remainder of his term as an Independent.

Marc Jones, who stood in three successful PCC elections and as a candidate for Parliament on behalf of the Tories, said his fight for fairer funding for Lincolnshire Police would be better served by stepping away from party politics.

It comes after the government announced it would abolish the PCC role and hand policing matters to local councils or elected mayors.

Jones said he still had "a considerable amount of work" to do before his term ended in 2028.

"Policing has never been under such strain and, whether these pressures come from a lack of resource, an increase in assaults on officers and staff, or the additional pressures from the level of demand, my focus will remain on supporting the chief constable in delivering for his team and, more importantly, for the public," he said.

Jones added: "I wish to be clear that my world view and my values have not changed and I've been proud to have been elected as a Conservative here in Lincolnshire.

He said he had always "put Lincolnshire first", even when that had "put me at odds" with the Conservative Party or its policies.

Jones said he had "no interest in joining any other political party" and was focused on delivering additional funding for Lincolnshire Police.

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