There is "near to zero" chance of current Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) David Jamieson running for office again in 2020, he has announced.
The role of the PCC has been hotly debated in recent months, with government plans to combine the office with the Mayoralty under intense scrutiny from many West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) members.
The issue was discussed again at a WMCA board meeting, where members voted on whether or not to agree a process for the positions to be merged in time for the 2020 Mayoral elections.
But the move is looking less and less likely as the 2020 election draws nearer.
Unanimity is required from all constituent councils for the proposals to go ahead, but Coventry voted against the plans.
They think the proposals are being rushed through too quickly, and want two public consultations to take place before agreeing to any merger. At the moment, the WMCA's proposals only allow for one.
During the debate many points were raised by all sides, including by current PCC David Jamieson.
Addressing the Mayor, Mr Jamieson said that the people of the West Midlands deserved to know why the proposed merger is right for them, asking "what is it about the current role that is inadequate?"
But he also said that, regardless of whether the position of PCC still remains at the 2020 election, he doesn't intend on standing himself.
"This is just for the absence of any doubt," he started.
"By 2020, I will have done 51 years in public services in one way or another.
"27 of those have been in elected office as a councillor, as a member of parliament, as a government minister, and latterly as Crime Commissioner.
"I somehow think that it might be time for somebody else to pick up the baton.
"And I don't think it will bring great sadness to many when I say that the chance of my standing for election again in 2020 are just about as near to zero as possible."
Source: https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/coventry-news/david-jamieson-pcc-election-15163222
Nothing to do with him being a total (but very expensive) failure in the role? I hope the door doesn't hit him too hard on his way out.
