In a letter seen exclusively by the Bedford Independent, the deputy leader of the Liberal Democrats has called on Conservative Mid-Beds candidate, Festus Akinbusoye, to urge Nadine Dorries MP to “move aside”, so people in Mid-Bedfordshire can “once again be represented in Parliament”.
In her letter to Mr Akinbusoye, who is currently Bedfordshire’s Police and Crime Commission (PCC), Daisy Cooper MP writes, “It is a huge privilege to be a Member of Parliament. It is a unique position where members of your own community put their trust and faith in you to represent their views.”
“That is why it is so disappointing that Nadine Dorries is still being paid despite saying she would resign and no longer turn up to Parliament. Mid-Bedfordshire is left without an MP.
“This means a family in Ampthill needing help in accessing Government financial support are [sic] left alone to face the cost of living crisis.
“Or a pensioner in Flitwick unable to get a GP appointment is left without a local champion in Westminster demanding better health services.
“I have heard first hand from local people in Mid-Bedfordshire who feel let down and taken for granted by their Conservative MP,” wrote Ms Cooper.
When asked about the letter, Mr Akinbusoye, who was announced as the Conservative candidate by Ms Dorries on Twitter last week, told the Bedford Independent that he understands “the frustrations of local people in Mid Bedfordshire”, but that he does “not have “any influence or control over the timing of the by-election”.
Read: Nadine Dorries announces PCC Festus Akinbusoye is to stand as Tory candidate in Mid Beds by-election
Even so, Ms Cooper, believes that at the very least Mr Akinbusoye should be calling on Nadine Dorries to turn up to work.
“Given [that] she has barely voted at all this year and, unbelievably, hasn’t even spoken up for her constituents once since Conservative MPs resigned en masse from Johnson’s cabinet almost a year ago,” highlighted Ms Cooper.
She then asked Mr Akinbusoye, “As Nadine Dorries’ chosen candidate, will you call on her to move aside and allow people in Mid-Bedfordshire to once again be represented in Parliament?”
“People in Mid-Bedfordshire deserve a local champion and a party who will fight for them every day in Westminster,” she said.
Responding in full, Mr Akinbusoye, highlighted his work as the County’s PCC and that he’ll remain committed to the role, and repeated that he will only be campaigning for the MP position in his free time.
“Since my election as Bedfordshire Police and Crime Commissioner in May 2021, I have worked with elected representatives from all political parties across the county, to keep our communities safe,” he said.
“Local people rightly expect politicians to get on with the job and deliver. That is exactly what I have done – helping to recruit 195 extra police officers for Bedfordshire and securing millions of pounds of extra investment to make our streets safer.
“I will continue serving as Police and Crime Commissioner – holding our police force to account and giving local people the service they deserve.”
“My campaign will set out my local priorities for the area that I have lived in for almost 15 years – including protecting our green belt from Labour and the Lib Dems, delivering even more investment for our area, and continuing to crack down on crime.
“I will continue to fight for our area to get things done.”
We also contacted Nadine Dorries’ office for a response but did not receive a response to our questions. To date, Ms Dorries has not responded to any questions from the Bedford Independent that have been asked on behalf of her constituents.
