Bedford’s Conservative Group has been accused of a “laughable” attempt to create division among their Labour counterparts by claiming they are blaming fellow councillors for issues within the Borough.
Currently, Bedford has an elected mayor, Liberal Democrat Dave Hodgson, with a cabinet made up of Lib Dem and Labour councillors.
Mayor Dave Hodgson has held the role since 2009 following the death of Bedford’s first elected Mayor, independent Frank Branston.
Local elections – including Mayoral elections – are scheduled to take place this May.
The Conservative Group has claimed that prospective Labour candidates have vowed to “boot their failed regime from power”, saying some have “rightly highlighted a number of issues that have continued to plague the town.”
Labour split
Conservative Councillor and Deputy Group Leader, Jim Weir, said: “It looks like Labour’s existing councillors and new candidates for the May elections are completely split.
“Their candidates are openly voicing residents’ frustration about a failing administration with comments like “sick of services being neglected” (Sam Blacklaws, Bedford Independent), “the need to renew our town and town centre” (Zara Layne, Bedford Independent), and the lack of a vision for the future of the Borough.
“After 13 years of failure they, along with the Liberal Democrats, should not be given second chances. It is clear we need to vote for change.”
The Conservative mayoral candidate, Tom Wootton, has also accused the Labour hopefuls of “trying to bury their complicity in their joint failing administration with the Liberal Democrats.”
He said: They could have chosen to hold the Mayor to account years ago and not just at election time.
“I agree with the statement from the new Labour candidate for Harpur and Newham ward it is “time to seize this opportunity to vote next year because it’s clear it’s time to change.” – A real change and labour is a split party.”
However, their Labour counterparts have said the claims are laughable, saying, “what the Tories have failed to grasp is that the frustration of not being to deliver everything we would want is caused by thirteen years of their incompetent government.”
Tory cuts
Bedford Borough Labour Group Leader, Sue Oliver, said: “This is funnier than any of the jokes I read in my Christmas crackers. Labour Councillors have always been a united Group, unlike the Tories, who are clearly grasping at straws.”
She said the party’s relationship with their candidates was “extremely positive” with the common aim to get the best for their wards.
“Our relationship with our candidates is extremely positive. Labour councillors and candidates work closely together and have a common aim to get the best for their wards and the whole borough.
“This is despite the despicable Tory cuts that have brought serious challenges for the council as well as families facing the cost of living crisis and huge energy bills,” said Ms Oliver.
“There is no disgrace in wanting to do better and the best way to do that is to elect more Labour Councillors.”
She said the Conservative Group need to “look to their own Government and acknowledge that the problems facing our Borough have been caused by their own party making a series of catastrophic budget errors and deliberate austerity decisions which have been detrimental to the quality of life of everybody in the UK.”
Castle and Newnham Labour candidate, Sam Blacklaws, who was quoted by the Conservative Group, said: “Whilst I am pleased that the Tories seem to be endorsing Labour in Harpur, Castle and Newnham, and our Mayoral candidate Saqhib Ali their comments really are bizarre.
“Labour candidates have praised Labour Councillors including Portfolio Holders for the great work they have done despite Conservative Government cuts. What Labour Councillors and Labour Candidates want is a Labour Council that could do even better by putting residents first.”
