THE leader of the Fire Brigades Union in North Yorkshire has been announced as Labour’s candidate in the forthcoming Police and Crime Commissioner elections.

Labour members in North Yorkshire have selected York firefighter Steve Howley as the party’s candidate in the elections on May 5.

He has been a full time firefighter for 18 years and has served at both Malton and York fire stations. He lives in Sherburn-in-Elmet near Selby with his wife and two-year-old triplets.

The Government has signalled it will be considering bringing fire brigades under the control of commissioners in the future.

Speaking after his selection was confirmed, Mr Howley said: “I’m not a career politician – I’m someone with close to two decades’ experience on the frontline serving in our emergency services as well as working at a strategic level for the past six years.

“With the government’s dangerous plans for PCCs to take responsibility for fire and rescue in addition to the police, I’m someone who knows what is really happening on the frontline within your emergency services in North Yorkshire because I work it every week.

“I have first-hand experience of trying to keep someone alive at a road accident for 40 minutes waiting for an ambulance or the police to arrive due to chronic shortages caused by cuts.

“My frustration at the constant cuts to vital emergency services while at the same time millions of pounds is being wasted in other areas of those services is my ultimate driving factor to become PCC. I know I can work positively with the chief constable to make a difference and deliver the most cost effective, efficient police service while improving on police officer numbers and service delivery to the tax payers of North Yorkshire.”

Also running for the post currently held by Conservative candidate Julia Mulligan is former beat bobby turned best-selling author Mike Pannett, from Thirsk, who is standing as an independent candidate.

York-born Mr Pannett served for six years in the Territorial Army before joining the police service, first in London and later back in North Yorkshire’s towns and villages.

Mr Pannett said he could understand why a member of the fire service would wish to stand for the role, with the proposals to bring brigades under the control of a police and crime commissioner.

“I can see where Steve Howley’s motivation is - when it comes to the control of the fire service, that should be left to the chief fire officer - they are very different services," he said.

"But my stance hasn’t changed. If I wasn’t to stand it would be a fight between two political parties. I think the public really don’t want a political element involved in the role, especially how critical the position is.”

Conservative Julia Mulligan will be seeking a second term as Police and Crime Commissioner.