Columns

The Bedford Independent carries regular columns submitted by various political leaders and organisations that work within Bedford Borough.

For 2026, columns will be each month as follows:

Week one*

  • Monday: Bedford Borough Mayor’s office (Conservative)**
  • Tuesday: Bedford Borough Council opposition (shared between Labour and Liberal Democrats)**
  • Wednesday: Bedford Borough Council opposition (shared between Greens and Independents)**
  • Thursday: Bedford Borough charitable organisations arranged by Pritti Sagi, Creating Memories
  • Friday: Bedfordshire PCC (Labour)

Week two

  • Monday: Bedford & Kempston MP (Labour)
  • Tuesday: North Bedfordshire MP (Conservative) – offered but no response
  • Wednesday: Bedford Borough communities arranged by Queen’s Park Community Organisation
  • Thursday: Mid Bedfordshire MP (Conservative)
  • Friday: Beds GOVET (Environmental).

These columns are published unedited and do not reflect the views of Progress Publishing, its staff or its publications.

If you have an idea for a regular column, please email news@BedfordIndependent.co.uk.

*From the first full week of the month
**So that the number of columns reflects the size of each party on Bedford Borough Council, the number of columns per party is as follows: Conservative (current council leadership) x 12, Liberal Democrats x 6, Labour x 6, Green Party x 4, Independents x 1 (each).

Monthly column: Mayor has left Bedford with nowhere to go

Sometimes the biggest issues in local government are the simplest. If you take your children to the park, walk the dog, go for a run, or spend a few hours enjoying the outdoors, you should...

Guest column: Raising foundations in the digital age  

On 20 September 2026, the Right Reverend Richard Atkinson, Bishop of Bedford, gave a sermon as part of the Sheriff of Bedfordshire's Justice Service at St Paul's Church, Bedford...

Monthly column: To nationalise or not, that is the question…

Every day there seems to be a harrowing report in the national and regional papers about the awful state of our rivers and seas, so much so that you wonder why the Government...

Monthly column: Bandhan Bedford –bringing the community together to celebrate Indian Independence Day

Bandhan Bedford is a vibrant group of women of Indian origin that has grown into a strong, welcoming community over the past eight years, bringing people together to celebrate culture...

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...

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...

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...

Monthly column: August in Bedford – taking stock while continuing to deliver

August is traditionally a quieter month in the Borough Council calendar. While many people enjoy a well-earned summer break, it also provides an opportunity to reflect on what we've achieved...

Monthly column: Bringing Bedford’s communities into the classroom

In today's increasingly connected world, education extends far beyond reading, writing and arithmetic. Schools play an important role in helping young people understand different cultures...

Opinion: Youth-friendly spaces are essential for the future of Bedford

Bedford borough has a strong community, but young people between 16 and 18 can’t help but feel they are missing out.   Despite large events such as the River Festival and the...

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