The Green Party has selected Rachel Smith-Lyte as their candidate for the Suffolk Police and Crime Commissioner election taking place on 2nd May. If elected she will join the growing number of women across England who hold these important appointments, bringing a fresh perspective to policing.
The Green Party are the main challengers to the Conservatives for the Suffolk-wide role. In last year’s elections they polled higher than ever across the county, beating Labour and winning more than twice as many votes as the Liberal Democrats.
Rachel has been an East Suffolk District councillor for Melton ward since 2019. In 2023 when the Green Party took over from the Conservatives to lead the council in coalition with Lib Dems and an Independent, she was appointed Cabinet Member for the environment.
Rachel said: “Last year, the people of Suffolk voted the Conservatives out of power in all four district councils they had previously led. TheGreen Party became the largest group on 3 of those 4 councils.
“It is clear that people across Suffolk are fed up with the steady erosion of services under the Conservatives, and that the election for our Police and Crime Commissioner will be a straight fight between me and the Conservative incumbent.”
“Our police force is under serious pressure. With cuts from the Conservatives we have seen an erosion of front line policing, with the beat seemingly a thing of the past. Police officers are left plugging the gap from the lack of adequate mental health and care services, and a court system struggling to cope.”
“As Police and Crime Commissioner, I would resist further cuts to our critical police service in Suffolk, send a message to the government that our communities need police back on the ground, while seeking to ensure officers feel supported, resourced and valued to do the best job they can.”
“I would also seek to stand up for marginalised communities whether that is women suffering domestic violence or people of colour being targeted by stop and search. Last but not least, I would make environmental and wildlife crime a higher priority, seeking to protect the unique local environment that I know people are passionate about here in Suffolk.”
Green Party Parliamentary candidate for Suffolk Coastal Julian Cusack said “I think Rachel has rightly identified the need for the Suffolk Police Force to be properly resourced. She is an excellent choice to bring a different perspective to the role of Police and Crime Commissioner.”
ENDS