Delegates want more debate at Federation conference

DELEGATES from Lancashire Police Federation would like to see more debate, questions and answers at the Police Federation of England and Wales conference – and not so much talking from stage.

LancsFedFocus heard from Steve Hardman, Louise Ainsworth and Geoff Tagg at the conclusion of the three days’ conference in Bournemouth to find out their views. As well as our Chairman Rachel Baines.

Steve Hardman said: “I think the prepared statement from barrister Mark Aldred was brilliant. [His advice] leaves nothing to chance and does not open individuals up to honesty and integrity issues.”

Louise Ainsworth said she felt there was “too much time used up by speakers and not enough left for questions and answers”.

She added: “Devolution seemed a strange topic for the Federation to debate. I was impressed and surprised by the support from Sir Tom Winsor and hugely disappointed that yet again Home Secretary Theresa May wants to concentrate on the mistakes of the past rather than look at how we move forward.”

Geoff Tagg said he was “disappointed with the level of debate/presentations”.

He added: “Previously we have had people from such groups as Reform and Liberty who have brought alternative views on who we operate or should operate. Or we have had speakers about some current and relative operational issues.”

Rachel Baines, Chairman of Lancashire Police Federation, said: “I would have liked to have seen a bit more debate, particularly the more important issues around police assaults and around driving. We tended to run out of time a little bit so that was one that we will feed back to national committee for next year.”

Next year’s conference is in Birmingham and will go down to two days rather than three.