Political Column, Author at Bedford Independent

A new Government, a fresh start and better times ahead

Bedford Borough Labour Group are delighted to congratulate our former councillor colleague Mohammad Yasin on his re-election as MP for Bedford & Kempston, won with a...

Monthly column: Bigger and better than before, Bedford River Festival is back

Families across the Borough will have an unforgettable start to their summer holidays as our iconic River Festival returns. Over Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 July 2024, a cultural extravaganza...

Monthly column: A fairer and safer Bedfordshire

I was elected Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for Bedfordshire on 2 May and took up the role a week later on 9 May. This is an important role, and I am very privileged to serve the residents of Bedfordshire...

Monthly column: Council’s new £200 charge for vital lifeline

I have been dismayed to hear from vulnerable local residents worried at the prospect of being charged over £200 a year for the vital emergency telecare service from the council. Telecare is a...

Monthly column: Motorists have never had it so bad

The Conservative Government claims to be on the side of the drivers but whether it’s the rising price of petrol or soaring car tax and insurance costs, the cost of driving has sky-rocketed while road...

Monthly column: Poor communication about new pay-to-play tennis courts

Along with many other Bedford Labour Group Councillors I was shocked to find works have taken place on the well-used tennis courts in my Kempston South Ward without any consultation...carl

Monthly column: A year in review – Putting Bedford Borough back on track

What has the new Mayor and his new administration done for me? I asked myself that very question for the residents of Bedford Borough as I sat and thought about the past year and reflected on the...

Monthly column: Eight bus services in Bedford Borough have been cut since 2022

Buses are by far the most used form of public transport in the country, but the Conservative deregulated bus system has led to thousands of vital services being axed across the country, failing communities...

Monthly column: Are we going in the wrong direction…?

The last 14 years were good for Bedford Borough despite the pandemic. Despite the Conservatives in Westminster cutting local government to the bone we were able to deliver so much...

Monthly Column: Changing things for the better

If you believe that outcomes are independent of your actions, you’ll stop trying to overcome challenges – nothing you do matters and it’s always someone else’s fault. In a nutshell, that has...