THE CHAIR ASKS


is fit for purpose. I think it’s not fit for this reason. There is a real imbalance of power, and there’s a real imbalance of power between the Home Secretary of the day – whoever they are – who makes the decision. Policing has nothing it can do. It’s particularly unfair.


The Federation does an excellent job, but it isn’t like an ordinary unionised workforce where the union has a number of tools it can use to get better pay. And for me, the contract existing between the Government and policing has been there for over a century since the Federation was set up after World War 1.


On the one hand, policing didn’t have t he right to strike. But on the other — whoever the Home Secretary was or whatever political stripe the Home Secretary was — would recognise this fact in the pay awards.


Now police officers are realistic people. They understand there’s always going to be a reasonable amount. But for me, to end up with zero was a kick in the teeth frankly. In this year of all years, when policing had sacrificed so much, I think it was appalling.


JA: We do our best with the limitations we have. Some colleagues get frustrated and say you need to do more. We are not a union. I can’t apologise for us not being a union, so we do the best we can. I sometimes get criticised and asked why I get so political. I’m not party political, and don’t care what party is in government. The Government will always get it both barrels, because that’s what we have to do when we feel so badly let down. But policing is political now.


Changing tack, it’s clear that you’ve got a passion for policing. What motivates that passion?


NTS: I’ve got a huge passion for public service, and if you came to my constituency office what you find on


Nick O’Time By Colin Whittock


the wall are the war medals of my great grandfather, who served in WW1. He had chosen to join the Army before the war, and had medals going back to the Victorian era. I’ve always had huge respect for those people who go out and put themselves in harm’s way to help others. My great grandfather never chose his battlefield — the politicians chose the battlefields. He was willing to go out there and serve his country, putting himself in harm’s way.


“I think the


pressures PFEW members have been under throughout the pandemic have been so intense.”


My grandmother was my great inspiration to come into politics. I had a conversation with her when I was about 12 or 13 when the South Wales valley where I grew up, and am proud to represent, was suffering from the closure of heavy industry. I thought people’s talents were being wasted.


She said we can talk about it, and it’s a very interesting thing to talk about, but if you want to change things you need to go into politics which I later did. She became a nurse because that was her lifetime’s ambition at the age of 56. I was always deeply impressed that she wanted to serve other people. It’s also people I’ve grown up with, some who have gone into the police service. I know the work they have done.


I have the greatest admiration for police


officers as they don’t choose on a daily basis where they go. Someone who is working on response for example, will get a call and they have no idea what they are going to find. That is why I was so moved to have been with you recently at the dedication of the UK Police Memorial at the National Memorial Arboretum. The open door, which is what the sculpture represents, shows me precisely why I have that admiration for policing.


Your members, day in, day out, don’t know what’s behind that door. But that doesn’t stop them walking up to the door, willing to face danger to keep other people safe.


JA: So, imagine tomorrow you are the Home Secretary, what would you do for policing in your first couple of weeks?


NTS: What I would want to do in the earliest weeks as Home Secretary is talk about my passion for policing. I would talk about backing police on our streets, but I know that’s words. I know you’ve heard a lot of words. I would want to be speaking to the Chair of the Police Federation. I would be wanting to look at the pay review mechanism. I would want to be in that Labour government and around the Cabinet table fighting for a fair deal for policing. I could then say to your officers on the street that I haven’t just come into this job to speak about supporting you, important as that is. I am going to put my money where my mouth is, and get you a genuine, independent pay settlement you can feel confidence in.


JA: It’s important for PFEW to have a dialogue with the Shadow Home Secretary and politicians from all sides. Thank you for your continued support and for taking the time to speak to our members directly.


07 I POLICE I OCTOBER 2021


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