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9 November 2026
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Politics

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.

Professional worker using pan knife for building brick walls with cement and mortar planning new homes builder building Image Adobe Stock:aboutmomentsimages

Central Bedfordshire Council blocks Forest of Marston Vale housing plan for fourth time

A housing development within the Forest of Marston Vale on the outskirts of Cranfield has been refused for a fourth time by Central Bedfordshire councillors. Applicant Hallam Land Management...
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Air travelers queue at border control at Heathrow Airport Image 1000 Words Shutterstock

Monthly column: Fighting for Mid Beds as Shadow Home Office Minister

Britain's immigration system must work for British people and people right here in Mid Bedfordshire – that's what I’ve heard from you since I was elected. That's why I'm delighted...
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Councillors gather in council chambers for the extraordinary full council meeting to debate and vote on a motion to hold a referendum on the position of Mayor of Bedford Borough, 16 September 2026. Image: Bedford Independent screenshot of Bedford Borough Council webcast.

Bedford Borough Council rejects £375k mayoral referendum as Conservative group members abstain

Labour suffered a setback in Bedford Borough Council as a motion to hold a £375k mayoral referendum was defeated, while senior Conservative councillors refused to back Mayor Tom Wootton...
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Mayor Tom Wootton signing off the new cabinet in June 2026. Image Bedford Borough Council

Breaking news: Bedford Borough councillors reject motion to hold mayoral referendum

Bedfordians will not be asked to decide the future of the borough's mayoral system after councillors defeated a proposal for a borough-wide referendum at an extraordinary council meeting...
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Tempsford village sign near Church of St Peter with the village cemetery in the background

Compact housing around Tempsford could protect Bedfordshire countryside from new town sprawl

A University of Hertfordshire report warns low-density housing wastes land and isolates communities, urging decision-makers across Bedford Borough to adopt compact designs that protect...
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Bedford International Express on Midland Road. Image Bedford Borough Council

Midland Road businesses handed Closure Orders over illegal tobacco supply

Two businesses on Midland Road in Bedford have been closed by the council's Trading Standards team for supplying and distributing illegal tobacco. The two shops on Midland Road...
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Bedfordshire Police Officers on targeted patrols. Image: Bedfordshire Police

Monthly column: Closing the gap between fact and perception

Most crime in England and Wales is falling – but the public thinks it's rising. In fact, they are wrong about crime on nearly every measure: from how many people fall victim to the...
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Cllr Abu Sultan leader of Bedford Borough Labour Group

Monthly column: Why residents should have a say on how our council is governed

Bedford Borough Labour Group believes people living in Bedford Borough should have the opportunity to decide how their Council is governed in future. The last referendum on this was...
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Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, officially known as the Palace of Westminster in London, England. Image Nigel J. Harris Shutterstock

Senior councillors challenge Prime Minister over South Midlands devolution footprint

A regional clash over devolution boundaries has opened across the South Midlands, putting £150m in proposed infrastructure funding and future growth around Bedford Borough at the centre of...
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A temporary tarmac 'patch' used by Anglian Water when repairing a burst water main on Bedford High Street in July 2026 must be replaced by them with paving blocks, says Bedford Borough Council. Image: Ian Gregory

Bedford High Street tarmac patch must be replaced by Anglian Water

Anglian Water will be forced to fund the restoration of Bedford High Street after temporary tarmac was left in place of block paving following recent emergency water main repairs...
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