Bedfordians have chosen who they wish to represent their ward and who they want to be mayor for the next four years. The count went on well into the night, with the Bedford Independent the only Bedford-based newsdesk there until the bitter end.
The big news of the night was that Bedford now has a new Mayor.
Tom Wootton (Conservative) was chosen as Mayor with 145 more votes than the former mayor Dave Hodgson (Liberal Democrat).
The council itself, however, has no overall control with ward councillor figures remaining similar to those in the 2019 election. A party would need 24 seats to gain control.
- 14 Labour councillors (+3)
- 13 Conservative councillors (+2)
- 13 LibDem councillors (-2)
- 3 Green councillors (+1)
- 2 Independent councillors (+1)
(change from 2019)
Labour gained the most seats, while the Liberal Democrats were the only ones to lose seats. Greens also showed similarities with the national picture, gaining another seat with Paul Edwards joining Lucy Bywater in Castle and Newnham and Ben Foley moving to Greyfriars.
Independents also doubled on the council with Cllr Doug McMurdo holding in Sharnbrook and Cllr Nicola Gribble taking the new seat of Renhold and Ravensden.
Boundary changes saw an extra six seats across the borough. One of which is still to be decided due to a forced by-election in Wyboston.
This is because the winning candidate there, Tom Wootton, was also elected mayor and so has relinquished his seat.
So you don’t have to wade through 14 hours of live blog, here are the results in full. Just click on the link to jump to the relevant results.
Results
Mayoral
Mayoral Election
The Elections Act 2022 changed the rules for this election and it is now a first-past-the-post system.
Turnout: 35%
- Dave Hodgson (Liberal Democrat) – 15,602
- Tom Wootton (Conservative) – 15,747
- Alberto George Thomas – (Heritage Party) – 887
- Saqhib Ali (Labour and Co-operative Party) – 11,568
- Adrian Spurrell (The Green Party) -3,795
Winner: Tom Wootton (Conservative) WIN FROM LIB DEM
Ward councillors:
Biddenham
Biddenham
One seat available (new ward)
Turnout: 41.4%
- Jon Gambold (Conservative) – 442
- Christopher Paul Howes (Labour) – 90
- Stelios Mores (Liberal Democrat) – 40
- Adrian Spurrell (The Green Pary) – 423
Winner: Jon Gambold (Conservative) NEW
Brickhill
Brickhill
Two seats available
Turnout: 36.8%
- Stephen David Bywater (Green Party) – 232
- Warwick Mathew Mackie (Labour) – 352
- Elizabeth Patricia Sophioe Pugsley (Labour) – 380
- Wendy Rider (Liberal Democrat) – 1,201
- Charles Royden (Liberal Democrat) – 1,208
- Scot Gill (Conservative) – 645
- Sharon Jean Thompson (Conservative) – 609
Winners: Wendy Rider (Liberal Democrat) and Charles Royden (Liberal Democrat) HOLD
Bromham
Bromham
Two seats available (new ward)
Turnout: 39.0%
- Gordon William Charlton (Labour) – 419
- Ashley Spencer Firth (Labour) – 383
- Kathryn Louise Hill (Green Party) – 320
- Richard Delian Jones (Liberal Democrat) – 449
- Robert John Rigby (Conservative) – 1,061
- Stephen John Rutherford (Liberal Democrat) – 230
- Dylan Mark Simmons (Conservative) – 1,055
- Kathy Wallis (Reform UK) – 194
Winners: Robert Rigby (Conservative) and Dylan Simmons (Conservative) NEW
CastleandNewnham
Castle and Newnham
Two seats available (new ward)
Turnout: 44.6%
- Sam Blacklaws (Labour) – 626
- Simon Mathew Briggs (Conservative) – 295
- Lucy Clare Bywater (Green) – 1,689
- Paul Richard Edmonds (Green) – 1,157
- Hilde Augusta Emilia Hendrickx (Liberal Democrat) – 566
- Tom Pattinson (Liberal Democrat) – 348
- Josh Walker (Conservative) – 284
Winners: Lucy Bywater (Green) and Paul Edmonds (Green) HOLD and NEW*
*Hold for the Green Party in Castle but they now also include Newmham. Paul Edmonds replaces Ben Foley who was elected as councillor for Greyfriars.
Cauldwell
Cauldwell
Three seats available (previously two seats)
Turnout: 26.0%
- Fouzia Zamir Atiq (Labour) – 1,331
- Charlotte Elisabeth Margrethe Bagnall (Liberal Democrat) – 279
- Spenser Robert George Groves (Conservative) – 433
- Eve Frances McGrath (Liberal Democrat) – 240
- Ionut Milea (Conservative) – 388
- Antony Tristan Steyn (Liberal Democrat) – 173
- Tunu Abu Sultan (Labour) – 1,137
- Kumar Suresh Sunda (Conservative) – 498
- Harish Thapar (Labour) – 1,127
- Linda Susan Throssell (Green Party) – 224
Winners: Fouzia Atiq (Labour), Abu Sultan (Labour) and Harish Thapar (Labour) HOLD*
*Fouzia Atiq and Abu Sultan remain, Harish Thapar takes the new seat for a Labour clean sweep
Clapham and Oakley
Clapham and Oakley
Two seats available (new ward)
Turnout: 37.9%
- Jonathan Abbott (Liberal Democrat) – 808
- Thoufique Ali (Labour) – 175
- Lynne Rosemary Gray (Green Party) – 163
- John Raymon Manning (Liberal Democrat) – 539
- June McDonald (Labour) – 200
- Phillipa Elizabeth Rose Simms (Conservative) – 795
- Jane Anne Walker (Conservative) – 1,101
Winner: Jane Anne Walker (Conservative) and Jonathan Abbott (Liberal Democrat) NEW*
*A merge of two wards, but each councillor holds on to their seat
De Parys
De Parys
Two seats available
Turnout: 35.3%
- Shaun Bowman (Labour) – 322
- Jason John Gordon (Conservative) – 369
- Mohammad Khayrul Islam (Labour) – 268
- Freddie Linsley (Conservative) – 347
- Harrison Philip James Marley (Green Party) – 230
- David Alexander Sawyer (Liberal Democrat) – 968
- Henry Paul Vann (Liberal Democrat) – 1,044
Winners: David Sawyer (Liberal Democrat) and Henry Vann (Liberal Democrat) HOLD
Goldington
Goldington
Two seats available
Turnout: 29.3%
- Timothy Charles Caswell (Liberal Democrat) – 792
- Philippa Deirdre Nell Fleming (Green) – 136
- Adrian John Haynes (Reform UK) – 116
- Roger Bernard Jones (Conservative) – 257
- Shane Alexander Kelly (Labour) – 578
- Christine Alison McHugh (Liberal Democrat) – 729
- Catherine Ward (Labour) – 505
Winners: Tim Caswell (Liberal Democrat) and Christine McHugh (Liberal Democrat) HOLD
Great Barford
Great Barford
One seat available
Turnout: 40.9%
- Phillippa Anne Martin-Moran-Bryant (Conservative) – 781
- Malcolm Raymond Smith (Liberal Democrat) – 103
- Harvey Stimson (Labour) – 73
- Toby Waltham (Green) – 160
Winners: Phillippa Anne Martin-Moran-Bryant (Conservative) HOLD
This ward did previously have two seats, the second of which was held by the late Cllr Stephen Moon (Conservative). The boundary changes moved this to a one-seat ward which is still held by Cllr Martin-Moran-Bryant.
Great Denham
Great Denham
One seat available (previously two seats)
Turnout: 34.8%
- Tim Crowhurst (Green) – 42
- Joanna Beata Szaub-Newton (Liberal Democrat) – 295
- Mohammad Teahleel (Labour) – 132
- Jim Weir (Conservative) – 623
Winners: Jim Weir (Conservative) HOLD
Greyfriars
Greyfriars
One seat available (New ward)
Turnout: 26.5%
- Karen Rosalie Boyes (Conservative) – 67
- Ben Foley (Green) – 274
- Paul Mannion (Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition) – 6
- Syedur Rahman (Independent) – 144
- Sudesh Rani (Labour) – 223
- Nigel Jason Spencer (Liberal Democrats) – 43
Winners: Ben Foley (Green) NEW
Harpur
Harpur
Two seats available
Turnout: 30.4%
- Elizabeth Oluwafunke Akinwande (Conservative) – 276
- David John Allen (Independent) – 258
- Colleen Atkins (Labour) – 1,178
- Barry Ian Freeman (Green Party) – 160
- Martin Joseph Kavanagh (Liberal Democrat) – 158
- Zara Layne (Labour) – 977
- Steve Spring (Conservative) – 302
- Jonathan Westwood (Green Party) – 165
- Patricia Anne Wood (Liberal Democrat) – 128
Winners: Colleen Atkins (Labour) and Zara Layne (Labour) HOLD
Harrold
Harrold
One seat available
Turnout: 40.9%
- David Dennis Bevan (Labour) – 164
- Alison Jane Foster (Conservative) – 789
- 7Niamh Elizabeth Lynch (Green) – 160
- James David Stuart Thompson (Liberal Democrat) – 190
Winner: Alison Jane Foster (Conservative) HOLD
KempstonCentral
Kempston Central and East
Two seats available
Turnout: 28.5%
- Mark A Brown (The Green Party) – 170
- Louise Crofts (Liberal Democrat) – 499
- Joseph Adewale Johnson (Conservative) – 256
- Simran Nahar (Conservative) – 224
- Mohammed Nawaz (Labour) – 907
- Jas Parmar (Liberal Democrat) – 612
- Caroline Lisa White (Labour) – 875
Winners: Mohammed Nawaz (Labour) and Caroline Lisa White (Labour) HOLD*
*Caroline Lisa White replaced Kay Burley (Labour) who stepped down.
KempstonNorth
Kempston North
One seat available
Turnout: 32%
- Laura Mary Fitzgerald (Green Party) – 78
- Elizabeth Hedison (Conservative) – 233
- Sue Oliver (Labour) – 665
- Bipinchandra Shah (Liberal Democrat) – 50
Winner: Sue Oliver (Labour) HOLD
KempstonSouth
Kempston South
One seat available
Turnout: 33.5%
- Carl Rex Meader (Labour) – 902
- Sanjay Patel (Green Party) – 31
- Barry Ryan (Conservative) – 113
- Janey Elizabeth Trengrove – 44
Winner: Carl Rex Meader (Labour) HOLD
KempstonWest
Kempston West
One seat available
Turnout: 28.9%
- Paramjeet Kaur (Liberal Democrat) – 60
- Markus Keany (Communist Party of Britain) – 5
- James Andrew Long (Green Party) – 26
- James Emmanuel Valentine (Labour) – 615
- Elizabeth Dawn Wootton (Conservative) – 191
Winner: James Emmanuel Valentine (Labour) HOLD
Kingsbrook
Kingsbrook
Two seats available
Turnout: 29.9%
- Dean Gary Crofts (Liberal Democrat) – 879
- Caroline Sara Fensome (Conservative) – 405
- Henna Khanum (Liberal Democrat) – 701
- Nick Meek (Green) – 187
- Ralley Rahman (Labour) – 805
- Sharanjit Kaur Sira (Conservative) – 309
- Mashhuk Miah Ullah (Labour) – 776
Winners: Dean Crofts (LibDem) and Ralley Rahman (Labour) HOLD AND NEW*
*Ralley Rahman takes back one seat for Labour
Putnoe
Putnoe
Two seats available
Turnout: 40.6%
- Jen Feneley (Green) – 245
- Katherine Theresa Groves (Conservative) – 581
- Wendie Marie Harvey (Labour) – 336
- Micheal Paul Headley (Liberal Democrat) – 1,638
- Martin John Macpherson-Lawley (Conservative) – 495
- Geoffrey James Pearce (Labour) – 275
- Max Samuel Charles Royden (Liberal Democrat) – 1,380
Winners: Michael Headley (LibDem) and Max Royden (LibDem) HOLD
Queens Park
Queens Park
Three seats available (previously two seats)
Turnout: 48.8%
- Ishtiaq Ahmed (Independent) – 258
- Nesreen Akhtar (Labour) – 1,604
- James Stuart Baggaley (Liberal Democrat) – 133
- Sydney Guthrie Campbell (Liberal Democrat) – 193
- Peter Edward Davis (Conservative) – 163
- Mohammed Mahboob Din (Labour) – 1,433
- Zaffar Iqbal (Independent) – 1,042
- Mohammed Masud (Labour) – 1,484
- Gulam Monowar (Independent) – 803
- Kelvin Robert James Plomer (Green Party) – 146
- Mohammad Rafi (Independent) – 1,249
- Rashid Rogers (Liberal Democrat) – 73
- Jennifer Jane Wootton (Conservative) – 182
- Verity Elizabeth Wootton(Conservative) – 146
Winners: Nesreen Akhtar (Labour), Mohammed Mahboob Din (Labour), Mohammed Masud (Labour)
Renhold and Ravensden
Renhold and Ravensden
One seat available (new ward)
Turnout: 37%
- Fiona Joanna Cardinale (Conservative) – 397
- Nicola Louise Gribble (Independent) – 564
- Conrad Holden Longmore (Liberal Democrat) – 78
- Melanie Louise Purves (Labour) – 98
Winner: Nicola Louise Gribble (Independent) NEW
Riseley
Riseley
One seat available
Turnout: 44%
- Joanne Louise Hill (Green Party) – 142
- Lorna Rose Marchant (Liberal Democrat) – 121
- Min Rodriguez (Labour) – 265
- Martin Edward James Towler (Conservative) – 865
Winner: Martin Edward James Towler (Conservative) HOLD
Riverfield
Riverfield
One seat available (new ward)
Turnout: 32.3%
- Neil Stuart Mann (Labour) – 143
- John Norman Robertson (Conservative) – 223
- Daniel Stachowiak (Green Party) – 56
- Billy Richard Thompson (Liberal Democrat) – 524
Winner: Billy Richard Thompson (Liberal Democrat) NEW
Sharnbrook
Sharnbrook
One seat available
Turnout: 44.6%
- Douglas Hansen-Luke (Conservative) – 252
- Thomas Owain McEwan (Labour) – 123
- Doug McMurdo (Independent) – 946
- Paul Bernard Stekelis (Liberal Democrat) – 90
Winner: Doug McMurdo (Independent) HOLD
Shortstown
Shortstown
Two seats available (new ward)
Turnout: 30.9%
- Ali Akbor (Labour) – 253
- Richard James Baker (Green Party) – 170
- Stephen Bowering (Liberal Democrat) – 539
- Leigh James Coombs (Liberal Democrat) – 652
- Sarah-Jayne Gallagher (Conservative) – 605
- Sam Holland (Conservative) – 419
- Mansoor Nasir (Labour) – 204
Winners: Leigh James Coombs (Liberal Democrat) and Sarah-Jayne Gallagher (Conservative) NEW
Wixams and Wilstead
Wixams and Wilstead
Three seats available (new ward)
Turnout: 31.4%
- Steve Conway (Labour) – 516
- Terri Conway (Labour) – 511
- Graeme Stuart Coombes (Conservative) – 1,307
- Marc Jonathan Frost (Conservative) – 1,129
- Sachdev Goldi (Liberal Democrat) – 829
- Linda Anne Jack (Liberal Democrat) – 918
- Amir Khan (Labour) – 448
- Lee James Melville (Independent) – 269
- Andrea Clare Spice (Conservative) – 969
- John Symonds (Liberal Democrat) – 868
- Winners: Graeme Stuart Coombes (Conservative), Marc Jonathan Frost (Conservative), Andrea Clare Spice (Conservative) NEW*
- *Cllr Graeme Coomes HOLDS from his previous ward
Wootton and Kempston Rural
Two seats available (new ward)
Turnout: 33.6%
- Susan Abood (Liberal Democrat) – 858
- John Gerard Dawson (Labour) – 296
- Hamayun Shaid (Labour) – 268
- Peter John Stephens (Liberal Democrat) – 848
- Tristan Tyerman (Conservative) – 652
- John Stephen Wheeler (Conservative) – 885
Winner: John Wheeler (Conservative) and Susan Abood (Liberal Democrat) HOLD and WIN*
*A new ward merged from two previous wards. Both were previously Conservative but Lib Dems have balanced that out
Wyboston
Wyboston
One seat available
Turnout: 42.1%
- Ian Robert James Nicholls (Labour) – 121
- Thomas Luke Townsend (Liberal Democrat) – 156
- Tom Wootton (Conservative) – 878
- Winner: Tom Wootton (Conservative)*
*As Tom has been elected Mayor, there will be a by-election at some point.
