MPs – A GREAT BOOST FOR POLICE MORALE

It was appropriate that our local MPs and dignitaries paid a fitting and dignified tribute to the two fallen officers at the funerals for Nicola Hughes and Fiona Bone; the Home Secretary Theresa May even read a prayer during the service and David Cameron said, “These brave officers were simply doing their job out there protecting the public…. the incredible risks and great work our police service does”

Greater Manchester Chief Constable Sir Peter Fahy said: "Day in, day out, police officers go about their duty, go into dangerous situations, unexpected situations, and show great bravery, great courage and are with people at the very worst moments in their lives.”

Also back in September, delegates at the Labour Party Conference in Manchester held a minute's silence in honour of the two officers, where Hyde & Stalybridge MP Jonathan Reynolds, speaking about the deaths of the two police officers, told the conference: "It serves as an all-too-dreadful reminder of the danger that our policemen and women face in every force, on every day, every time they get called out."

Fast forward 2 months to 28^th November where Keith Vas MP (Leicester East) called for a debate on Police Pensions.

Out of 650 MPs, less that 20 bothered to turn up! So, when there’s a riot or unarmed officers are brutally murdered on our street, politicians queue up in their hundreds to tell the world that our police are the best in the world, but when it comes to paying them and sorting out a decent pension more than 630 MPs couldn’t be bothered to turn up!

Maybe they were reflecting the poor turnout for the Police and Crime Commissioners, where on average; only 7% of the electorate could be bothered to vote. In fact, in some places, no one voted at all.