29 May 2026
Bedford Ian has been looking at recent goings on across Bedford Borough and tells us what he thinks of it all…
Track record
The mayor, who campaigned on transparency around East West Rail, now faces questions about, you guessed it, transparency around East West Rail.
Read: Mayor responds after councillors question East West Rail interest
The news of a third resignation from Mayor Wootton’s cabinet, this time amid questions about his pecuniary interest in the EWR project, has sparked calls that extend beyond whether he should resign and onto a more fundamental question: what exactly is that pecuniary interest?
He told the area’s local democracy reporter, John Guinn, that it’s because the route crosses land connected to his family.
Read: Mayor responds after councillors question East West Rail interest
But what exactly is the nature of the pecuniary interest, and how might the route affect the Mayor or his family to the extent that such a declaration is required?”
There have been declarations of local interest relating to the route and the Conservative Mayor’s land for some time.
However, a pecuniary interest takes matters a step further and raises questions that the public reasonably expects to be answered.
Opposition councillors will no doubt jump on this, and who can blame them? Bedfordians should be asking questions, too.
After all, the Mayor’s election campaign rested heavily on opening up transparency around East West Rail and making sure the route really was the best for all people.
The mayor even ordered Bedford Borough Council to carry out its own assessment of possible routes at a cost of £40,000 to taxpayers.
And the result? No clear winner on which route is best.
Read: Council’s live-streamed EWR briefing allows public scrutiny of eight potential routes
Some will argue the Mayor’s position is now untenable and that he should step down. Whether he chooses to do so or not, the electorate will ultimately make that decision in May 2027.
But before then, there is a greater priority. We need answers.
What exactly is the Mayor’s pecuniary interest? How has it been declared? And can the public be reassured that all relevant declarations, rules and procedures have been properly followed?
After all, if you promise transparency, it has to start at the top.
Did you know…
Councillors are required to declare certain interests when taking part in council business.
A local interest can cover matters that affect a councillor, their family or close associates more than they would affect the general public.
A disclosable pecuniary interest (DPI) is a more serious category and relates to financial interests, such as land ownership, employment, contracts or certain business interests.
National rules require councillors with a disclosable pecuniary interest in a matter being discussed to declare it. They must not take part in the debate or vote on that item and would normally leave the meeting while it is being considered.
Failing to register or declare a disclosable pecuniary interest without a reasonable excuse can, in some circumstances, amount to a criminal offence.
Ealing eagerness
Bedford Blues will once again be hosting “the biggest game in a decade” for the second week running on Sunday (31 May), as Worcester Warriors come to town for the Champ Rugby final, although some in the rugby sphere were perhaps banking on a different outcome.
Read: Goldington Road sold out ahead of Bedford Blues’ Champ Rugby final against Worcester
For those of us who follow second-tier rugby religiously, we are all too aware of Ealing’s recent dominance, but even for a side of Ealing’s quality, advertising the final before you’ve won the semi-final is a touch presumptuous…
Additional motivation for @worcswarriors and their fans – if it were needed. On arrival at Ealing we note their next match is the final next week… presumptuous, much? pic.twitter.com/A2kHpl0aE0
— Pete Breakwell (@BigBreakers) May 23, 2026
Even those who should probably know better jumped on the bandwagon, showing the Champ Rugby final as between Ealing Trailfinders and Bedford Blues in the capital, before the first throw of a ball with Worcester in the semis.
If Ealing’s aim was to fire up the Warriors, it certainly worked, as Worcester scored a try in the final minute to claim their place in the final, causing a rather embarrassing climbdown in West London.
As the old sporting adage goes, “it’s not over ’til it’s over”, but apparently it’s now “it’s over before it even starts”.
Congestion Clark
Universal Studios could announce a cure for the common cold, world peace and free ice cream for every resident of Bedfordshire, and, somewhere in the distance, you would probably hear Cllr Sue Clark asking about the traffic implications.
Now, to be fair to the Cranfield and Marston Moretaine Conservative councillor, traffic is her job.
Her residents are entitled to have someone ask awkward questions about road closures, parking, level crossings, and whether local villages are about to become rat runs.
But it is becoming one of the more reliable constants in Bedfordshire politics.
Universal appears in the news, people start talking about jobs, investment, tourism and the prospect of finally having something more exciting than the A421 to put on postcards.
And shortly afterwards, Cllr Clark appears with her traffic concerns covered repeatedly, often by some local media republishing the same underlying comments, quoting them, or referencing them in different places.
This week’s concern is that Lidlington could become an unofficial park-and-ride for Universal visitors if a proposed station car park is completed before alternative facilities elsewhere.
East West Rail says that isn’t the plan.
Cllr Sue Clark says she’s worried that’s what’ll happen
Who is right remains to be seen, but if Universal ever does build a rollercoaster themed around local politics, a slow-moving traffic jam would be a lovely nod to Cllr Clark.
See you soon, Bedford Ian.
PS: If you see anything Bedford Ian might find amusing, let us know at news@BedfordIndependent.co.uk.
