Lincolnshire Police and Crime Commissioner Marc Jones has announced he is leaving the Conservatives.
Mr Jones, who is responsible for setting the police’s budget and priorities, says he won’t be joining another party, writes Local Democracy Reporter Jamie Waller.
He has been elected to the role as a Conservative three times, and will continue until 2028 when the PCC posts are abolished.
“I do believe that for the remaining period of my time as the PCC I will best serve the people of Lincolnshire standing away from party politics completely,” he said in a statement.
“I remain focused on delivering additional funding for Lincolnshire Police – something I am very proud to have worked tirelessly on over the last nine years with some but not complete success.”
He added: “I wish to be clear that my worldview and my values have not changed during that time, and I’ve been proud to have been elected as a Conservative here in Lincolnshire. I also want to be clear that I have no interest in joining any other political party.
“I have always put Lincolnshire first, even when that has put me at odds with the Conservative Party or its policy. I have always been independently minded and acted in the best interests of Lincolnshire.
“I remain focused upon this task in the weeks, months and years ahead. I wish to thank everyone across the county who voted for me during the last three elections and want to assure them, and the rest of the residents of Lincolnshire, that I stay fully committed to them and this role.”
Mr Jones has served as Lincolnshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner since 2016, winning his third term in 2024.
He previously served as a Tory councillor on both Lincoln city and Lincolnshire County Council.
The change in party affiliation comes as Lincolnshire Police are urgently requesting more funding from the government to avoid job cuts.
