A long-serving councillor and local farmer has been selected by the Bedford Borough Conservative Group as their candidate in the 2023 mayoral elections.
Cllr Tom Wootton represents Wyboston Ward and was first elected in 2002. He held the position of cabinet member for Highways, Transport and Waste on the former Bedfordshire County Council before Bedford Borough became a unitary authority in 2009.
He runs the family farm in Ravensden and currently sits on the Council’s General Purposes Committee. Tom was the Council’s Speaker for the year 2016/17.
In a statement, Tom said he believed Bedford Borough could be “so much more with the right leadership.
“I look forward to representing the residents of Bedford Borough and addressing local issues to help all parts of the borough flourish.”
Bedford’s mayoral elections take place in May 2023. The current Mayor, Liberal Democrat Dave Hodgson has been in the role since 2009 following the death of Frank Branston.
In the 2019 election, Dave Hodgson received 21,416 votes, 3,311 more than his Conservative rival, Giovanni Carafano.
