Political Column, Author at Bedford Independent

Monthly column: Access to the Arts will be a “necessity” not a “luxury” under Labour

It was music to my ears to hear Keir Starmer setting out Labour's ambitious plan for the creative sector, which includes measures to prioritise arts education within the national curriculum, a crackdown...

Monthly column: Working in the interests of all Bedford Borough Residents

As has been the case for many years, even before becoming a Unitary Authority in 2009, Bedford Borough Council continues to be a ‘hung council’ with no party in overall control with a majority...

Monthly column: Standing up for the people of Bedford Borough

I want to shine a light on what has been going on in the Council and update you about the work we are doing on your behalf. It is a mixture of good news and bad news. I had hoped this first Column might...

Monthly column: Retention is up but we must do more to back our Police Officers

We are seeing a remarkable turnaround in workforce retention in Bedfordshire Police compared to where we were just three years ago. I recently discussed attrition, retention, retirement...

Monthly column: Nobody thinks police funding formula is working

This week in Parliament, I joined fellow Bedfordshire MPs in raising the issue of Bedford’s defective police funding formula. I wrote to the Minister for Crime and Policing, Chis Philip to ask if his...

Monthly column: If you want a politics that serves you… this is your year

We start the new year with hope that 2024 will bring great things not just to us as individuals but for our Borough and the country. The policies of government affect us all on a daily basis and impact...

Monthly column: Mayor’s New Year message

Serving as your Mayor since May has been the highest honour of my life, and I am excited about the journey ahead. As we reflect on the past year and look ahead to what 2024 may bring, I hope that each of...

Monthly column: slow death of dentistry over last 13 years is Ghost of Christmas Future for NHS

It is another extremely difficult winter for the NHS as it struggles to cope with the 7.7m backlog, flu and Covid surges and the junior doctors strikes without the beds and the staff that they...

Monthly column: The public need to know the truth, not be misled by spin

In his column for the Bedford Independent last week, Mayor Tom Wootton repeated his claim that by making amendments to the Tories’ proposed £53m spending plans, the opposition parties on the...

Monthly column: Massive improvement opportunities for Bedford Borough missed

At Bedford Borough’s last Full Council meeting (Wednesday, 29 November) Labour, Liberal Democrats and Green Councillors voted to “delete all” of the Council’s Updated Investment programme...

Political Column

Monthly column: Access to the Arts will be a “necessity” not a “luxury” under Labour

Monthly column: Working in the interests of all Bedford Borough Residents

Monthly column: Standing up for the people of Bedford Borough

Monthly column: Retention is up but we must do more to back our Police Officers

Monthly column: Nobody thinks police funding formula is working

Monthly column: If you want a politics that serves you… this is your year

Monthly column: Mayor’s New Year message

Monthly column: slow death of dentistry over last 13 years is Ghost of Christmas Future for NHS

Monthly column: The public need to know the truth, not be misled by spin

Monthly column: Massive improvement opportunities for Bedford Borough missed

Ancient woodland in Bedford Borough under pressure from national housing targets

Bedford Blues rising up the table after fourth straight max points win at Blackheath

Second half blitz helps Real Bedford to win over Rushall Olympic

Queens Drive collision leaves elderly driver fighting for life in Bedford

Lest we forget: 2026 Armistice Day and Remembrance Day events in Bedford Borough

Political Column

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