22 May 2026
Bedford Ian has been looking at recent goings on across Bedford Borough and tells us what he thinks of it all…
Sinking ship
There’s a moment in the 1998 disaster film Deep Impact where a senior government official suddenly resigns.
At first, it’s brushed off as personal reasons. But a journalist eventually discovers the truth.
She’s seen the files. She knows an E.L.E, an Extinction-Level Event, is heading for Earth.
Which brings us neatly to Bedford Borough Council.
This week saw not one, but two senior councillors resign from Mayor Tom Wootton’s executive in quick succession.
Read: Respected senior councillor quits Mayor Wootton’s cabinet with immediate effect
Now, to be absolutely clear, there is no giant comet heading towards Bedford.
Fingers crossed.
Read: Second senior councillor quits Mayor Wootton’s cabinet in days
But when senior people suddenly start leaving the bridge while the captain insists everything is perfectly fine, the public is naturally going to wonder if they know something the rest of us don’t.
- Is there a greater financial black hole approaching at great speed?
- A tsunami slowly building on the River Great Ouse?
- An unstoppable horde of Harry Styles fans heading for Cardington?
Who can say?
In reality, politics is complicated, executive reshuffles happen, and people resign for all sorts of perfectly sensible reasons.
But timing is everything.
And when Bedford Borough Council already feels like it’s lurching from one political drama to another, two abrupt departures in a matter of days inevitably create an atmosphere that’s less ‘stable local authority’ and more ‘leaving Jurassic Park before the T. rex escapes’.
Still, perhaps there’s nothing to worry about.
Just don’t look up.
Slim pickings
Bedford Borough Council’s executive has 10 positions. Nine of them are, or were, Conservative, including the Mayor.
With two Conservative resignations in quick succession, Mayor Tom may have to start rotating portfolios like it’s a Sunday league team, or maybe he’ll look to the five Conservative councillors not yet part of the first team.
Which raises an awkward question.
If some councillors weren’t considered willing, suitable or experienced enough for positions before, what changes now? Especially with barely a year left before the election season properly kicks off.
Has a hidden talent suddenly emerged from the backbenches? Have some developed an overnight passion for scrutiny committees and budget papers?
Or is this simply the bottom of Bedford’s political barrel?
Of course, looking to other parties is another option.
But that comes with its own complications, particularly after the Mayor once suggested the opposition wouldn’t “put me out if I was on fire.”
As this is a family newspaper, I’ll avoid speculating what wording he may originally have had in mind.
Read: Bedford’s new mayor talks about getting settled in and who will form his executive
But when there’s a chance to get a political ‘one over’ on your opponent, principle has a funny habit of becoming flexible.
The plot, as they say, thickens.
Poor timing
Yes, it’s been quite the week for local political news, which made it particularly unfortunate timing for Local Democracy Reporter John Guinn to be on leave.
John, quite possibly the hardest-working journalist in the area lately, told me his request that Bedford Borough Council “not do anything until I returned” had been completely ignored.
Frankly, inconsiderate.
Read: Stories by Bedfordshire’s Local Democracy Reporters
Still, perhaps the sudden executive resignations, political manoeuvring and ongoing Borough Hall drama were simply the council’s way of making sure he didn’t feel left out while away.
Either that or Bedford politics has finally reached the point where it now requires 24-hour supervision.
Sock it to ’em
And finally, this week, someone has put socks on one of the children in ‘The Meeting’ statue outside the Old Town Hall.
I’m hoping this is just the start and we’ll see more clothing added in the coming weeks.
A Bedford Blues shirt? A Real Bedford scarf? Perhaps a Bedford Town cap to really test community relations.
Before long, the statue could well end up being Bedford’s best dressed.
See you soon, Bedford Ian.
PS: If you see anything Bedford Ian might find amusing, let us know at news@BedfordIndependent.co.uk.
