Record low turnout predicted in police commissioner elections Among the 192 candidates standing for the 43 new posts, only one in three have previously served on a police authority or worked for a force. Those elected will receive pay of up to £100,000 a year and wield powers to shape the priorities of the police in their areas. Yvette Cooper, the shadow home secretary, pledged yesterday that successful Labour candidates would disclose details of their dealings with lobbyists and private contractors, and urged other parties to make the same commitment. Several candidates have pulled out of the contests since campaigning began. One of them, Mervyn Barrett, an independent in Lincolnshire, withdrew last month after The Sunday Telegraph exposed links between his well-funded campaign and a US-based neo-conservative think-tank. Labour's candidate in Northamptonshire, Lee Barron, a union official, withdrew last week after admitting having a minor conviction 22 years ago. Video footage taken last year at a rally against Government cuts shows him speaking proudly of "breaking the law" by encouraging teachers and other local government workers to defy anti-strike laws. Those still seeking election this week include John Prescott, the former deputy prime minister, for Labour, and Michael Mates, a minister in the Thatcher government, for the Conservatives. Tory sources last night predicted that Thursday's parliamentary by-election in Corby, the Northamptonshire seat vacated by Louise Mensch, the Conservative backbencher, would be a close contest despite forecasts of a clear Labour win. Whilst Ed Miliband's party is the overwhelming bookies" favourite to take the seat, both the Tories and Labour said the margin would be "nothing like" the 22 per cent Labour advantage suggested by an opinion poll in the constituency last month commissioned by Lord Ashcroft, the former deputy Conservative chairman. In the 2010 general election Mrs Mensch had a majority of just 1,951 over Labour, making the constituency a key marginal. Both David Cameron and Mr Miliband have campaigned there in the last few weeks. By-elections will also be held in two safe Labour seats, Manchester Central and Cardiff South and Penarth, where MPs have stood down to run as police and crime commissioners. Thursday will also see the first election of a mayor for Bristol, in what polls suggest is a two-horse race between Marvin Rees, the Labour candidate, and George Ferguson, an independent