Our election coverage for Bedford & Kempston, North Bedfordshire and Mid Bedfordshire live from the count at the Bunyan Centre, Bedford.
We should have been at Tom Jones but thanks to the stupid democratic process we’ll be stuck in a stupid windowless room watching people count stupid pieces of paper.
Take a look below to find out what happened, what the candidates had to say once the polls closed, and which surprise guest read out one of the results (just to manage your expectations it’s no one famous, and I’ve probably built it up too much just by mentioning it).
Latest updates
(scroll down for earlier updates and full results, you may need to refresh the page)
05:58, 5 July 2024
Well, that’s it. Another election under our belts. Please, let it be a full five years before the next one… although there’s a Mayoral and council election in between. Sigh.
It’s been a pleasure, even if it has been a little weird for this one, the atmosphere wasn’t as exciting as it has been. Maybe that’s due to the low turnout and the feel of the nation that politics needs a wash. Trust needs to be rebuilt, we need to get democracy working properly again so people feel engaged and valued with their voting choices.
Anyway, I’m rambling, I’m tired and I’m two hours late for my bed.
Good night, all and thanks for joining me and supporting the Bedford Independent.
Paul.
05:58, 5 July 2024
MP again, Richard Fuller has spoken to us about rebuilding trust with the electorate, the impact of Reform UK, and working with the new Labour Government on EWR and Universal…
05:56, 5 July 2024
Gracious in defeat, Pinder Chauhan spoke to us about what might be next…
05:53, 5 July 2024
Result
North Bedfordshire
| Candidate | Party | Votes |
|---|---|---|
| Pippa Clayton | Reform UK | 8,433 |
| Philippa Flemming | Green | 3,027 |
| Richard Fuller | Conservative | 19,981 |
| Uday Nagaraju | Labour | 14,567 |
| Joanna Szaub-Newton | Liberal Democrats | 5,553 |
| ELECTED | Richard Fuller | Conservative |
05:43, 5 July 2024
Result
Bedford & Kempston
| Candidate | Party | Votes |
|---|---|---|
| Prince Sadiq Chaudhury | The Workers Party | 996 |
| Pinder Chauhan | Conservative | 8,912 |
| Ben Foley | Green | 2.394 |
| Tarek Javed | Independent | 1,442 |
| Matt Lansley | Reform UK | 4.548 |
| Henry Vann | Liberal Democrats | 4,025 |
| Mohammad Yasin | Labour | 18,342 |
| ELECTED | Mohammad Yasin | Labour |
04:15, 5 July 2024
Oh, I have to tell you about an amazing thing I saw today. I went to my stepdaughter’s school’s talent contest, and it was brilliant.
She and her friends came second with a dance they choreographed themselves, so very proud, but the highlight (because it was so unexpected) was the young lad who solved a Rubik’s Cube while hula-hooping.
Yes, hula-hooping.
It was quite something.
I can barely walk and breathe at the same time, that kid is going places.
04:54, 5 July 2024
It’s almost 5am and we’re expecting an imminent announcement that Labout has increased its majority in Bedford & Kempston. From what some sources say, it looks like it’s by a ‘massive amount’.
04:25, 5 July 2024
Result
Mid-Bedfordshire
| Candidate | Party | Votes |
|---|---|---|
| Richard Brunning | SDP | 172 |
| Dave Holland | Reform UK | 8,594 |
| Gareth Mackey | Independent | 1,700 |
| Maahwish Mirza | Labour | 15,591 |
| Stuart Roberts | Liberal Democrats | 4,068 |
| Cade Sibley | Green | 2,584 |
| Blake Stephenson | Conservative | 16,912 |
| ELECTED | Blake Stephenson | Conservative |
04:10, 5 July 2024
Well, I said I would be home by 4am.
When will I learn?
03:49, 5 July 2024
While an official announcement is yet to be made, it looks like Labour has retained Bedford & Kempston and Conservatives have held on to North Bedfordshire.
03:34, 5 July 2024
As if to prove the Prof. right…
The Tories have taken back Mid Bedfordshire
03:32, 5 July 2024
Looking at how Bedfordshire might fare when using national results as a guide, Prof Colin Talbot says, “Too early to be sure but there appears to be widespread and significant tactical voting across the broadly southern England, including maybe Bedfordshire. Not reflected in exit polls which seems to have got this wrong.
“So, I would not be surprised if that led to a Labour clean sweep in Bedfordshire.”
03:30, 5 July 2024
And finally, Tarek Javed, Bedford & Kempston’s independent candidate…
03:29, 5 July 2024
Next Pinder Chahaun, Conservative spoke of her 18-month campaign in Bedford & Kempston…
03:28, 5 July 2024
Mohammad Yasin, the Labour candidate was quite reserved…
03:26, 5 July 2024
Lots of interviews are incoming. First up it’s Ben Foley of the Green Party…
02:46, 5 July 2024
We have a result in the Wyboston by-election.
Richard Baker (Green) – 277
Susan Henchley (Luberal Democrat)- 515
Sharan Sira (Conservative) – 1,096 ELECTED
HOLD: Conservative
02:46, 5 July 2024
Conservative candidate for Bedford & Kempston and Green candidate Ben Foley are now in the building.
02:34, 5 July 2024
Rumours from a few agents that Bedford could be a Labour landslide.
02:21, 5 July 2024
Mid Bedfordshire might be heading for a recount.
02:20, 5 July 2024
No, really. Where are the candidates? Counting is now well underway, they would normally be here by now. This is the first count I’ve attended where the likely winner hasn’t been here from much earlier on.
Even Nadine Dorries used to get to her counts quite early.
02:12, 5 July 2024
Where are all the candidates?
02:04, 5 July 2024
North Bedfordshire turnout is 65.68%. That’s 51,785 votes cast.
- 2019: 71.7%
- 2017: 73.4%
- 2015: 70.2%
- 2010: 71.2%
The total electorate for North Bedfordshire is 78,850.
27,065 voters stayed at home.
01:52, 5 July 2024
Counts for Bedford & Kempston and Wyboston by-election have started.
One is late or one is early (just).
01:48, 5 July 2024
Mid Bedfordshire is due at 02:30 and it’s currently too close to call. They’re ‘double-counting’ the two main parties to try and avoid a recount.
01:46, 5 July 2024
The prediction for timings was that the Bedford & Kempston and North Bedfordshire votes would start counting properly between 1am and 2am.
It’s 01:45.
The Wyboston by-election declaration was due at 2am. They’ve only just started counting.
They’re either just on time or it’s going to be late.
01:42, 5 July 2024
Wyboston by-election turnout was 66.9%. 1,919 votes cast.
01:34, 5 July 2024
The total electorate for Bedford & Kempston is 72,478.
That means almost 32,000 people stayed at home. Of course, they’re well within their rights to do so, but there needs to be big questions about why they would rather that than choose one of the candidates or parties available.
01:34, 5 July 2024
While we’re at the Bedford & Kempston and North Bedfordshire count we are hoping to bring you updates on Mid Bedfordshire too.
We’re hearing that Mid Bedfordshire is very close with the Conservatives looking the likely winners.
01:34, 5 July 2024
Bedford turnout is in.
56% which is 40,789 votes cast. That’s crazy low.
- 2019: 66.1%
- 2017: 67.5%
- 2015: 66.5%
- 2010: 65.8%
01:17, 5 July 2024
Still no sign of any Labour or Conservative candidates.
01:16, 5 July 2024
I’ve finally managed to collar Henry Vann, who’s standing for the Lib Dems. They’re likely to be a strong, if not the, opposition come tomorrow. Here’s what he had to say about that…
01:00, 5 July 2024
We’re hearing a rumour (from a Conservative activist) that they’re concerned North Beds might go to Labour. Just a rumour but if that happens that will be a shock.
00:50, 5 July 2024
OK, I’ve just had a walk around the floor and there are no turnout figures yet, we’re still in the verification phase.
Wyboston votes need to be separated from the GE votes because they used the same box!? Then they need to be verified.
It’s nearly 1am.
00:27, 5 July 2024
Oh, we’ve also got a Wyboston by-election here too… hang on while I get some deets that.
00:26, 5 July 2024
A few of you have been asking about exit polls and if there is a local prediction. Nationally, exit polls suggest the following seats:
- Labour: 410
- Conservative: 131
- Liberal Democrat: 61
- Reform UK: 13
- Scottish National Party: 10
- Others: 25
Professor Colin Talbot, from the University of Manchester (Professor of Government – Emeritus) has told the Bedford Independent that he thinks, “nationally, the projection for Labour, Conservative and Liberal Democrats will definitely see them sharing seats broadly in line with the polls.
“If the Tory share seems slightly higher than expected.
“The 131 Tories and 13 Reform suggests there will be a real battle on the right over future direction. It could well drag the Tories more towards the Reform agenda if not actually merging with them. A segment of the Tories will resist this strongly.
“Labour will therefore have a fairly divided opposition. And, if the SNP do this badly the whole Scottish Independence issue will be off the agenda for a long time,” he says.
Locally, sadly there’s just not enough info at this stage, and the national exit polls aren’t drilling down to a local level. But, my money* is on:
- Bedford & Kempston – Labour (HOLD)
- Mid Bedfordshire – Conservative (GAIN)
- North Bedfordshire – Conservative (HOLD)
What are your projections? Tell us on Facebook or email news@BedfordIndependent.co.uk.
*FYI – I haven’t actually made a bet, that’s just a turn of phrase. No gambling controversies here. #GambleGate
00:10, 5 July 2024
23:58, 4 July 2024
Laura Church, the returning officer has just said all boxes have now arrived.
I was told earlier that legally they have to start counting by 2am… WHAT?! That’s when we were expecting a result for one of the constituencies being counted here tonight. Crack on.
23:45, 4 July 2024
As you know we love celebrating the success of others and we’ve just been told three Bedfordians are in a national election radio show.
- Kate Ironside – Head of Multimedia Journalism at the University of Northampton
- Kerena Cobbina – One of the four presenters for tonight and a journalism student at UEA
- Martin Steers – Station Manager of NLive Radio and also volunteer station manager of Bedford Radio
They’re amongst 100s of students from dozens of universities from across the country who are reporting on counts up and down the land.
Nice work.
23:42, 4 July 2024
Just caught up with Henry Vann (Liberal Democrats) who looks very tired. He said that in 2019 he didn’t have two young kids, it’s very different this time!
23:41, 4 July 2024
Hearing great things about Tom Jones in Bedford Park tonight, but then, that’s not unusual.
(sorry)
23:38, 4 July 2024
Limited show from the candidates yet. Reform is here, Lib Dems are here, but no Tory, Labour or any other candidate yet.
23:04, 4 July 2024
We’ve just caught up with Matt Lansley, Reform UK’s candidate for Bedford & Kempston. His party is tipped to win 12 seats, if the IPSOS exit poll (carried out on behalf of Sjy/ITN and Sky News) is to be believed.
Here’s what he had to say…
23:02, 4 July 2024
Bedfordshire Police’s control office staff are a lovely bunch. A quick call and they say there’s been no major RTC and traffic is flowing nicely.
22:50, 4 July 2024
We’re hearing reports that there has been an RTC on Rope Walk, Bedford which may delay the arrival of some boxes.
22:16, 4 July 2024
Now, one of the most annoying things about this election is the fact I’ve missed out on seeing Tom Jones in Bedford Park.
What’s even more annoying is that my partner Mandy is there having the time of her life with her mate Nick (of Planet Clothing fame) and they’ve been hanging out with the legendary Cerys Matthews (swoon) and Gary Sweet, the CEO of Luton Town FC.
Mark Harrison, the man behind these concerts for almost 30 years has also just messaged to say, “Tom Jones is truly amazing. Captivating the audience, Bedford is spellbound… Excellent band too.”
I’m really proud to be a Bedfordian. What a great event to have in our fantastic town. #BedfordIsntShit
22:44, 4 July 2024
We’re hearing reports there has been a car accident on Rope Walk, Bedford that may delay boxes getting to the count.
22:00, 4 July 2024
That’s it the polls are closed. Which station’s box will arrive first?
If you’re driving in the Bunyan Centre area, Mile Road will be closed for about an hour to help make sure that boxes arrive swiftly and safely.
21:59, 4 July 2024
Here’s how you warm up for counting votes…
21:46, 4 July 2024
Polls will be closing in a few minutes, so the count staff have just had a little bit of a warm-up, which is important. We don’t want any sprained fingers slowing things down.
Video on its way.
21:22, 4 July 2024
Right, we’re at the count and it’s already busy as count staff are arriving and waiting to see where they’ll be placed. Council staff have given me and John Guinn, our area’s local democracy reporter, comfy chairs, which is nice.
And just look at the snacks…
Most of them courtesy of the Bedford Independent, but still, dive in.
18:16, 4 July 2024
Good evening, Paul Hutchinson here and with you until the end. That sounds ominous, but I only mean the end of Bedford & Kempston and North Bedfordshire’s election counts. Once again I’m proving to be a little overdramatic.
Normally I’d not start reporting until I was at the count, but I’ve just got back from voting (feel free to speculate who I voted for, I’ll never tell).
Anyway, the team at my polling station are doing a sterling job, they said: “it’s been a little quiet but it may pick up,” which is the gold standard of convos at British polling stations, so it looks like their training went well.
With about four hours until the polls close, hopefully, many of you are going to vote on the way home from work, or as part of a lovely evening walk with or without a dog. It’s nice weather out and the way the summer’s been so far, we must make the most of it.
If you do go with your dog, or any other pet for that matter, we’re not petist (is that a word?), send in a pic to news@bedfordindependent.co.uk and we might just feature them in the blog.
For now, here’s Misty celebrating her democratic right to be photographed at a polling station. Back soon.
