Labour’s mayoral candidate Saqhib Ali has announced his top five priorities for Bedford borough.
If elected, Mr Ali pledges to protect and improve local health services, prioritise the climate emergency, a zero tolerance of anti-social behaviour, a “quality” education for all, and to renew Bedford borough.
Saqhib Ali said: “We need to have a consultation with residents, we’re calling it ‘Unlocking the Town Centre’, to really understand what the community needs from its council.
“What they need for the long term, so you can bring in housing, you can bring in jobs, but ultimately if it has the facilities that people need.
“Not in just the town centre for today, but one for the future.
“I’ve lived in Bedford since 1978 when the buses used to go along Silver Street,” he said.
“There used to be a Woolworths, there used to be a Rumbelows, and people say ‘oh Debenhams has gone, and M&S has gone’, etcetera.
“Well Debenhams folded nationally so we couldn’t stop that, but M&S and River Island still exist in Rushden Lakes, they still exist in Biggleswade, they still exist in Milton Keynes.
“So why do they exist in these other places, but not here,” he asked. “The council needs to work to bring these businesses back to Bedford. But, renewing the borough isn’t just about bringing national companies back here.
“Part of the consultation process will include working with the existing independent businesses in the borough and getting local people involved in business,” he said.
“If you have the right educational opportunities to help people have start-ups, then you’re more likely to help set up employment for local people.”
If the companies are attracted to Bedford borough, there’s no guarantee that they will employ local people, and use local services or local suppliers.
“By making the borough more sustainable we will attract companies that will employ local people, use local services or local suppliers, then that investment will get spent locally helping our economy,” Mr Ali replied.
Mr Ali added that the borough isn’t just about Bedford’s town centre.
“We have to improve Kempston town centre as well, it’s about renewing the whole borough.
“So you have to have jobs and opportunities for people throughout the borough.
“But you also need more affordable houses to rent and to buy here, so people aren’t going to have to live further afield.
“Renewing Bedford borough has to be sustainable, so we don’t see new developments created without the infrastructure needed thus becoming commuter villages.
“If everyone has to go elsewhere for employment, or for shopping, for health services then the borough will not be a place that people want to live.
“As a mayor, you have to have to plan both for your four-year term, but also have the vision to ensure Bedford borough gets what it needs over eight years, 12 years, 16 years.
“So that we have a Bedford borough that our children can be proud of,” he said.
His campaign can be followed on Facebook and residents can contact him via email saqhib4bedford@gmail.com.
by John Guinn
Local Democracy Reporter
