Saturday, October 20, 2007

Policing party conferences

One of the things I notices at the Tory Party conference was the large number of Police. No surprise there really at such an event, but I did wonder how much it all cost. Well, apparently, according to Home Office, this is paid for through special grants it gives out. The grants are available to police forces to fund the policing of the conferences of the two main political parties (not sure where the Lib Dems fit in for their policing costs).

Anyway, according to Tony McNulty, the Dorset Constabulary, when submitting their grant application, requested £4.58 million to covr policing the Labour Party Conference this year. Sadly he didn't provide figures for the Tory Conference, but if we assume it's around the same amount, that nearly £10 million a year.

Simple question therefore is, is it really worth it?

4 comments:

Ralph said...

Did they ask how much riding police horses over sand protests cost?

Old BE said...

How come the party conferences get their policing paid for by the taxpayer, but football supporters and concert-goers have to pay for it themselves??

Anonymous said...

When did worth come into consideration - in any area of public spending?

Shug Niggurath said...

I'd rather see that kind of sum spent on policing an entire event than the farce that was mandy's bullet proofed car and trappings of state when he got booted out of the NI office.