Mid Bedfordshire Conservatives

Yesterday I was in Wixams for my first constituency surgery. Thank you to everybody who booked an appointment and came along.

I will be hosting regular surgeries across the constituency over the coming weeks and months so please do get in touch if you need an appointment.

📨 [email protected]

Spotted: Wixams Wixams Residents Association Wixams Community Group

I’m pleased to announce the start of regular surgeries in the constituency, starting with these locations in August.

More locations and dates will follow in due course but if you would like an appointment for one of these initial surgeries please do get in touch through email or voicemail.

📨 [email protected]
📱 020 7219 7477

Today, Richard Fuller and I wrote to the Secretary of State for Education urging the Government to re-think its decision to charge VAT on school fees.

I know how concerned local parents are about the impact of Labour’s planned Education Tax on Bedfordshire’s children. You elected me to stand up to this new Labour Government in the interest of local people, and alongside my Conservative colleagues I will continue to hold them to account.

For more information see my website: https://www.blakestephenson.uk/news/blake-stephenson-mp-urges-labour-rethink-education-tax-bedfordshire-students

Fantastic Bedford River Festival today. Lovely weather. Fantastic organisation. And a great turnout. Well done to everyone at Bedford Borough Council and Mayor Tom4Change.

COUNCIL MEETING - SURPRISING TWIST

The Council met last night to try and resolve which Independent Councillor and Independent Group will run the Council.

Cllr Adam Zerny, who left his job as Council Leader following several of his top team resigning, stood against Cllr Hayley Whittaker who had previously been sacked by him as Children's Services chief.

Cllr Zerny had established a new group called Independent Alliance with 13 Councillors registered. Cllr Whittaker is now leader of the old Independent Group (Network) also with 13 Councillors.

So to the vote last night. Cllr Zerny got 14 votes and Cllr Whittaker 13 votes. So he returns as Leader of the Council and will have to once again try and form a cabinet of councillors to help him run the Council.

As for the surprising Twist? My fellow Ward Councillor Gareth Mackey (we get on well locally), part of the Alliance Group under Hayley Whittaker, did not vote. I am not sure if it was a mistake, I'm told it may have been, but it resulted in Cllr Zerny returning as Leader. Had Gareth voted, Cllr Whittaker would be Leader as he gets an extra vote (as Council Chairmen) when the votes are tied.

The Conservatives, Lib Dems and Labour Groups all abstained. I believe the view from all the Groups was the Independents have the most councillors, they clearly want to lead the Council, so we would not contest that. It is then for the Independents to choose who should be the Leader of their administration.

It has been a chaotic time. Can Cllr Zerny bring together the Independent factions? Will some of the serious allegations be forgiven and forgotten? Will they find a way of making decisions for the good of the Council and not get caught up in personality politics?

We shall see.

As harvest gets underway I had the opportunity yesterday to meet with the National Farmers Union.

We discussed the impacts being felt from climate change and the importance of British food security 🇬🇧 🚜

Thank you to everyone involved in organising the Parliamentary Hustings at St. Andrew’s this evening, and to all the candidates for a civil debate.

I will be back in Ampthill tomorrow morning from 10am, and it would be lovely to meet anyone passing through the market square. Do pop along and say hello.

I’m Blake, the Conservative Candidate for Mid Bedfordshire. I’m spending some time in Aspley Guise this morning and I have had some great doorstep discussions already. Thank you to everyone for taking the time. If we don’t get chance to talk and you have questions for me, my email address is: [email protected]
To find out more, my website is: www.blakestephenson.uk

After the 3CR debate this morning it’s great to be straight out on the doorsteps in Wootton talking with residents.

WE NEED OUR MP TO SAY NO TO GREENWOODS!

The countryside behind me in this picture is the location of a speculative development of 4,000 houses, between Silsoe, Gravenhurst, and Barton-Le-Clay. Working together with Local Action Groups and Parish Councils over the past few years, I have played my part in stopping the development … for now!

An application will undoubtedly come forward again, probably in the call for sites in the Local Plan. And we need an MP with a proven track record of jumping into this campaign - without hesitation - to work with everyone and anyone to once again say No to Greenwoods!

I spent time talking with residents in Barton-Le-Clay this weekend and this priority came up repeatedly. People are voting for me to protect this beautiful countryside and surrounding villages from over-development.

A vote for anyone else in will lead to a Labour MP toeing the party line and concreting over large swathes of our countryside.

I’m in Wixams today with Cllr Graeme Coombes and it’s clear that lots of people want a fresh start.

A local MP working with residents, councillors, and Mayor Tom4Change to deliver the long overdue infrastructure needed, such as the GP surgery and railway station.

I have lived in Mid Beds for a decade, I’m a new councillor, and I’m already working hard on these priorities. Wixams has my full support to get these projects over the line, and I know as a Conservative team locally we can do it.

We need an MP who puts Mid Beds first, and that’s why I have put myself forward.

If we didn’t get to talk today and you would like to, don’t hesitate to get in touch at: [email protected]

for a

Today we remember those heroes of D-Day who made the ultimate sacrifice to ensure freedom triumphed over tyranny.

As a nation we can never forget the immense debt we owe them.

It was a pleasure to join residents in a sunny Ampthill this morning for the D-Day Proclamation.

My thanks to Carol Brown & Amanda Barnett for inviting me to meet and discuss the challenges faced by kinship carers in . We discussed what I can do as a local councillor on Central Bedfordshire Council and with Conservative colleagues on Bedford Borough Council, and if elected in 4th July you will also have my support as your MP.

On the trail in Elstow today talking with residents about local and national priorities. Thank you to everyone who took the time to talk.

There was a lot of discussion about how, as your MP, I will work closely with your Mayor Tom4Change and Borough councillors Graeme Coombes Marc Frost Andrea Spice, to get things done.

I will be back, but if you would like to follow-up I am available at: [email protected]

My thanks to Ampthill Deputy Mayor Cllr Stephen Addy for spending time with me today to get up to speed on the key issues facing the town. From speeding, flooding, half adopted roads and management company failings, to parking issues, and the Central Bedfordshire Council botched tree felling job, which I have been supporting councillors with in committee. Local councillors certainly have lots on their plates, and as your MP they would ALL have my FULL support to get things done.

Spent the afternoon talking with residents in Pulloxhill this afternoon. Windswept but worth it. Lots of great conversations, with a mix of local and national priorities. Really great to meet everyone. 👍

Out in Wilstead with councillors Marc Frost Graeme Coombes Jamieson James this afternoon hearing about people’s local and national priorities, and what they want from their next MP.

This morning I had a coffee & a chat with Jo at her award winning Foodstore & Kitchen in Gravenhurst, Disco-licious. Jo has built a fantastic little rural business, created great local jobs, and the produce is fantastic! I will try the kale and onions from Hillside Market Gardens this evening. As a councillor I have spoken with Jo many times about what Central Beds Council should do better, and I have fought a few battles with highways for us too. As our MP I would champion small businesses like this throughout . We need many more of them!