With local council and mayoral elections happening this May, the Labour candidate for Bedford’s Mayoral race, Saqhib Ali, has revealed his manifesto which he says “delivers a positive vision for the future of Bedford Borough”.
The Bedford and Kempston Labour party launched their 2023 local election manifesto this afternoon, which will underpin Mr Ali’s mayoral campaign.
Read: Bedford and Kempston Labour Party announces 2023 mayoral candidate
Ahead of the manifesto launch, Saqhib Ali told the Bedford Independent as mayor he would be “renewing Bedford Borough” by leveraging local businesses and local people to do “the best we can with the resources we have and putting Bedford borough back on the map, not just the town centre but all the villages and rural areas too.”
It will focus on five key pledges:
- Renew Bedford Borough
- Protect and improve local health services
- Zero tolerance on antisocial behaviour
- Prioritise the climate emergency
- A quality education for all
Mr Ali added: “Labour here in Bedford Borough has a proven record of standing up for residents by protecting front-line services and advocating for the change we need in our communities.”
In an exclusive interview with the Bedford Independent Mr Saqhib also spoke about some specific issues he and his Labour colleagues want to tackle.
Economy
“We going to hold ‘unlocking the town centre events’ which will be consultations with the public. While there has been investment we want to do the best we can for the Borough, as it’s not just about the town centre, it’s about the surrounding towns and villages helping to improve the economy we have here.
“We need to make sure people want to come into the town centres that we have, as well as improve the villages, communities and facilities they have.”
Public Transport
“We need to hold providers to account and put services where people really need them. We need to make them affordable and regular, whether people are going to the train station, or coming into town for education, the services have to be there, and that’s part of our action on the climate emergency too.
“The [EWR] announcement will be after the election at the end of May. We are against any demolition in the Poet’s area and we are supporting a four-track East West Rail scenario. Route E is supported by the Bedford Labour group.”
Climate Emergency
“For any project we do, we’re going to assess what the impact is. There is no second planet, we need to do the best we can for our children and grandchildren. it was the Labour group that called out the climate emergency.
“As a Labour mayor, and we’re pushing to have a labour council if that’s what the electorate decides this time, combined with a Labour Government in a year or two, then we are putting the climate above everything else.
“That is really important. In all the decisions that we make, what is the impact on climate going to be?”
Health
“The Mayor does have a seat on the Integrated Care Partnership, and leveraging through the Integrated Care Board (ICB) we’ll be trying to ensure we have the right resources in the right places to serve the needs of the people.
“That’s not just GPs, whilst GPs are really important it’s by having pharmacies, it’s by having access to dental, access to opticians, all the services and all the different facilities that people need.
“And that’s not just in Bedford and Kempston, but throughout the villages as well so people have those services on their doorstep.
“So that will be something I’ll definitely be lobbying through the ICB to make sure that happens and using my voice on the Integrated Care Partnership.”
Speaking about their plans as a whole, Mr Ali added, “This manifesto reflects the concerns residents have raised, and delivers a positive vision for the future of Bedford Borough.
“All of your Labour representatives will strive to work with the local community and organisations, with the common aim of making life in Bedford Borough the best it can be for all of our residents.
“Labour will deliver a cohesive plan to realise Bedford’s potential across the whole Borough, driving sustained social and economic renewal based on what residents want for the future of our towns, suburbs, and villages, not the past.
“A Labour Council will be on your side working for residents. Send a message to the Government and Council that you want a fresh start. Vote Labour on the 4 May.”
You can read the Bedford and Kempston Labour 2023 election manifesto in full here.
