9 November 2026

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All the latest Political and politics news from across Bedford Borough. Everything you need to keep you up to date with what’s happening in Bedford Borough on your mobile or desktop via the Bedford Independent.

The Bedford Independent was founded to provide the people of Bedford Borough with a modern news desk that would give them easy access to genuine and unbiased Bedford news. We are independent in ownership and opinion.

Our mission is to inform and inspire the people of Bedford. To do this we will work hard to bring them the news that matters to them from our town centre to the most rural of the Borough’s villages.

Our editorial team are NCTJ trained and follows a standards code set out by the independent press regulator IMPRESS Standards.

Respected senior councillor quits Mayor Wootton’s cabinet with immediate effect

Senior Conservative councillor Robert Rigby has resigned from Bedford Borough Council’s cabinet, citing concerns over Mayor Tom Wootton’s leadership. Cllr Rigby, who represents...

Councillors approve coffee drive-thru despite Fairhill traffic concerns

Plans for a new drive-thru coffee shop near Bedford’s Fairhill roundabout were approved despite concerns about congestion at the busy junction. Councillors on Bedford...

Bedford Borough’s Local Plan still valid despite housing supply shortfall, councillors told

Bedford Borough Council’s inability to demonstrate a five-year housing land supply does not mean its Local Plan is “obsolete” – but it can weaken some housing policies used...

Plans for up to 1,000 homes at Bedford gasholders site move forward

Plans for up to 1,000 homes on Bedford’s former Ford End Road gasholders site have moved forward as developers seek a ruling on environmental assessment requirements...

Independent panel raises alarm over pace of Bedford council recovery plan

An independent panel has warned Bedford Borough Council its recovery plans show an “optimism bias”, calling for faster delivery and stronger financial management. Yesterday’s Finance and...

Monthly column: We must deliver for young people in Bedfordshire

Young people across Bedfordshire are being let down by this Government time and time again. Since being elected as our MP in 2024, I have made it a priority to put young people at the heart...

New Bedford council speaker calls for respectful debate in election year

Councillor Tim Caswell has been appointed speaker of Bedford Borough Council, using his acceptance speech to call for respectful debate during the election year. In his acceptance speech...

Planning officers say no evidence yet for enforcement action on Wilstead site

Residents challenged planning officers at a packed Wilstead Parish Council meeting after works on land near the A6 sparked concerns about possible unauthorised development...

Bedford and Kempston MP expresses frustration at distracting “Westminster politics”

Bedford and Kempston MP, Mohammad Yasin (Labour), has expressed his frustration at the leadership crisis surrounding the Prime Minister, saying it is "drowning out" the...

Bedford mayor plans 2027 re-election bid amid warnings of political shake-up

Bedford’s mayor has said he intends to stand for re-election next year, arguing voters should judge his record after four years in office and warning that political control of the council...