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: 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...

Bedford Ian writes…

18 September 2026: Parking prats, Party rift?, and Madness madness. Bedford Ian has been looking at recent goings-on across Bedford Borough and tells us what he thinks of it all…

Bedford Ian writes, mayoral vote special…

16 September 2026: Bedford Ian has been looking ahead to tonight's council vote on whether the elected mayor role should be abolished (or not) and tells us what he thinks of it all…

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...

Bedford Ian writes…

11 September 2026: Water, water everywhere, Remember me, and Bedford noise. Bedford Ian has been looking at recent goings-on across Bedford Borough and tells us what he...

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...

Bedford Ian writes…

04 September 2026: Femme forte, London's calling, and Pipe of despair. Bedford Ian has been looking at recent goings-on across Bedford Borough and tells us what he thinks of it all…

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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