West Midlands PCC to stand for re-election

The former MP received 86 per cent support of members across the region.

Mr Jamieson said: "I would like to thank local members, parties and affiliated organisations for the strong support they have shown me. I will continue to work hard to stand-up for the West Midlands by recruiting officers and continuing to drive efficiencies so we can protect the areas that the public value most, like neighbourhood policing and PCSOs."

Mr Jamieson needed the support of more than half the membership to become Labour's 2016 candidate.

He has been police commissioner for 16 months, having won a by-election following the death of his predecessor Wolverhampton's Bob Jones.

A Labour Party spokesman said: "Local parties and affiliates recognised the work David Jamieson has done standing up against unfair government cuts, driving efficiencies to protect important areas like neighbourhood policing and getting West Midlands ready for the emerging crimes of the future.

"The efficiencies spearheaded by David Jamieson have meant that despite West Midlands Police having faced bigger cuts than anywhere else in the country, all PCSOs will be saved from compulsory redundancy ."

There had been calls for the election to be postponed as there are talks underway to transfer commissioner's powers to a new region wide directly elected mayor in 2017 .

It is still unclear how the West Midlands Combined Authority will work and there are several legal hurdles to overcome.

The other main parties are expected to announce candidates in the weeks ahead.

Mr Jamieson is a former roads minister. The turnout in the 2014 by-election was just 10.4 per cent.