AFTER a tiring Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) election, I would like to thank the UKIP team in Cheshire for their superb support, Cheshire Police and the PCC’s Office, the returning officers, Halton, Cheshire West and Cheshire East authority personnel, and the counting agents and all the candidates for a positive campaign.

Most importantly I would like to warmly thank the kind people who voted for me both as first and second preference.

I would like to acknowledge the diligent foundation work that John Dwyer has done as Cheshire’s first PCC and wish David Keane the very best of luck and good health to him and his family, so he can carry out the challenges and responsibilities attached to the post.

Although we differ politically, I am a democrat and fully accept the good people of Cheshire have spoken. I believe David will do a good job and he has my trust and support, after all, as a resident of Cheshire, he is now my Police and Crime Commissioner as well!

Jonathan Starkey (UKIP PCC candidate)