04 September 2026
Bedford Ian has been looking at recent goings-on across Bedford Borough and tells us what he thinks of it all…
Femme forte
The big news this week was the Harpur Trust’s announcement that Bedford School will become co-ed from September 2027.
Read: Bedford School to welcome girls from 2027
They’ve been a boys-only establishment for 475 years, so the news was met with pushback from some, with petitions against the move set up and shared on WhatsApp within seconds of the news being published.
Whether you think it’s a good idea to go co-ed or not, and whatever the reasons for the move may be, what’s really given insight into why some have the opinions they do are their comments on social media.
“They’re lowering standards,” as if girls won’t perform as well as boys.
“It’s for tax breaks,” as if somehow the government sees girls as a part of society that needs extra support.
“There won’t be as many excellent sports people coming out of the school now,” as if girls somehow can’t achieve greatness in their chosen sport.
If you don’t agree with Bedford School becoming co-ed, that’s fine, but please do base your opinion on genuine facts and mature reasoning and leave the misogyny where it belongs, in 1552.
London’s calling
I’ve always said you shouldn’t knock a trier, and one of the most trying men in politics isn’t showing any signs of giving up.
In my column a few months ago, I revealed that former Bedfordshire PCC and Mid Beds MP candidate Festus Akinbusoye seemed quite taken with the idea of running as London Mayor.
Read: Bedford Ian writes… (1 May 2026)
Now he’s officially thrown his hat in the ring as a potential Conservative candidate for Mayor of our capital city.
Read: Former Bedfordshire PCC in bid to become Mayor of London
And things have been looking up for Akinbusoye lately, as he is currently on his best-ever political run, having won one (1) election in succession.
Previously, Festus was Bedfordshire’s shortest-serving PCC, was the first Conservative to lose a Parliamentary election in Mid Bedfordshire since 1929, and has previously lost another Parliamentary election in 2015.
But he has been a councillor in Westminster for an epic three and a half months, highlighting his dedication to London, and that apparently makes him perfect for its highest regional and municipal position.
He’s also been busy talking up his credentials on social media, describing himself as a “boy from the endz”. A man of the people, indeed.
It remains to be seen if his own party will select him as a candidate, but I wish him the best of luck.
Pipe of despair
Anglian Water is back in the news.
Read: Anglian Water refuses to face questions over four-year Kempston leak losing 540 litres an hour
A four-year leak, two Olympic-sized swimming pools’ worth of water wasted, and practically zero response on why it hasn’t been dealt with appropriately.
Their customer Ian Campbell didn’t hold back in expressing his frustration, even using a few expletives to express his opinion of Anglia Water.
Mohammad Yasin MP (Labour, Bedford & Kempston) now says he’ll write to Mark Thurston, the company’s CEO, and raise it in Parliament too.
There’s also pressure on Bedford Borough Council to address the lack of urgency, care and service at the next Water Management Partnership meeting.
The disdain shown to Mr Campbell, his neighbour, and the journalists here at the Bedford Independent in trying to get this issue resolved says it all, though, and I’m inclined to agree with Mr Campbell.
Anglian Water just doesn’t care.
See you soon,
Bedford Ian.
PS: If you see anything Bedford Ian might find amusing, let us know at news@BedfordIndependent.co.uk.
