Two new Labour candidates, chosen to run in next year’s council elections in Bedford Borough, have said Bedfordians want a council to “listen to them and give the town the services it needs”.
Zara Layne and Caroline White have been speaking to Local Democracy Reporter, John Guinn, after current Cllrs Louise Jackson and Kay Burley announced this week (Wednesday) they would be stepping down in 2023.
Read: Two Labour councillors announce they will stand down at 2023 election
Zara Layne, has now been chosen to run alongside Cllr Colleen Atkins in Bedford’s Harpur Ward and Caroline White has been chosen to run alongside Cllr Mohammed Nawaz in Kempston Central & East.
Zara Layne
Zara, who has lived in the Black Tom area for over eight years, said she is an experienced caseworker for Mohammad Yasin MP, and has already helped a number of local residents in Harpur, and beyond, with housing, council tax, social care, and other issues.
“There are many issues that need to be addressed, such as access to GP appointments, multi-agency working to reduce antisocial behaviour, and collaborating with our MP to press the Government to provide clarity on East West Rail and avoid the demolition of homes,” she said.
“But to name one particular issue, which residents have raised time and time again, is the need to renew our town and town centre in particular.
“We’ve seen independent businesses and a real community spirit fight for our town, but our borough has been in a state of slow managed decline due to cuts from central government which I know residents want to see reversed,” she said.
If elected Zara said she would work with residents and businesses to reverse that trend and renew the town.
“Providing the conditions for our businesses to thrive, our cultural and arts sector to grow, and for services to be improved as Bedford Borough becomes the pride of our region as it should be,” she added.
“Residents need a councillor that has the experience to assist residents from day one,” she said.
Zara was selected following councillor Louise Jackson’s decision to stand aside from public service after 11 years and focus on her day job and family.
“I am so proud of our community and relish the opportunity to serve it meaningfully, but I also believe we can do more to create a better borough,” Zara said.
“I want a Council that’s on its resident’s side, that’s why I’m standing with councillor Colleen Atkins.
“To tackle the local issues that matter to residents.
“It would be a genuine privilege to serve our community and ensure that Harpur’s voice is heard,” she said.
“Harpur is my home and I would be honoured to represent it as a councillor,” she said.
“Residents need a voice that is on their side, and councillor Colleen Atkins and I will be that voice.”
Caroline White
Kempston resident Caroline White has been selected to run alongside councillor Mohammed Nawaz in next year’s local election.
She is replacing councillor Kay Burley, who has announced that she is to “retire gracefully” after 50 years in local government.
Ms White said: “I regularly speak to residents on the doorstep with councillor Mohammed Nawaz, and residents are clear – they want to be listened to and they want the council to give Kempston its fair share.
“This is important because it reflects a clearly identified need in our town for a council that will provide the services we need here.
“Councillor Nawaz and I will always fight for the resources and investment Kempston needs.
“Together as a community we have already achieved so much but I believe we can go further,” she said.
Borough-born Ms White has lived in Kempston for 20 years and said her experience in working in health services (including at Bedford Hospital) has shown the importance of well-run services.
“Working in the NHS is about action not words,” she said.
“It’s a place where false promises cost lives; I have delivered time and time again for patients and would do the same for residents as a councillor.
“Residents want a representative who is accountable and accessible.
“As a councillor, I will hold regular surgeries where residents could raise issues with me directly.
“Furthermore, Councillor Nawaz and I will continue to be proactive and speak to residents on the doorstep to ensure that all residents are represented as much as possible,” she said.
Ms White said as well as investment to renew Kempston (with full consultation with residents), it also needs a health centre for its growing population
“We need to work with our local schools to ensure that we have good quality education, including the completion of the new SEN school on the former Robert Bruce school site,” she added.
“These issues matter to local residents, matters to families raising their children in Kempston, to those with grandparents in Kempston and to working people looking for a town that will support them as they have supported it.
“Councillor Nawaz and I will always work with residents to tackle the issues we face and to ensure that Kempston continues to be a proud town,” she said.
Ms White said: “It would be a privilege to represent the community as its borough councillor.
“Together we can ensure that Kempston is the best place to live and work in.”
Interview by John Guinn, Local Democracy Service,
edited by Paul Hutchinson for the Bedford Independent
