Castle and Newnham Labour Party

The mortgage ticking time bomb has exploded and hard working families are paying the price under this Tory Government. They are too distracted by their own Party infighting, it's time that they step aside for a Labour Government that will get on with the job.

Labour Group gains three councillors to become largest group in Bedford borough - Bedford Independent The Bedford Borough Labour Group has claimed year-round ‘hard work’ was behind its local election gains last week. By gaining three...

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You still have time to vote! Polls close at 10pm today but the sooner you vote the better.

Please vote Labour with all your votes to renew our Borough and ensure that we have a Council that's on your side.

Today is Polling Day!

This is our chance to get a Labour-led council that will work with our Labour MP Mohammad Yasin MP and Saqhib Ali - Labour Mayoral Candidate For Bedford Borough to renew Bedford Borough and deliver the services we need.

Don't forget to bring Photo ID. If you've lost your ID, you can get an emergency proxy vote up to 5pm tomorrow at www.electoralcommission.org.uk/media/10021

- On Your Side.

Vote Labour on your way home, and remember your photo ID.

Polls are open until 10pm.

Vote Labour to cut crime, cut waiting lists and cut the cost of living.

After a long campaign, it all comes down to tomorrow – Thursday 4th May is polling day!

"Thank you so much to everyone who has supported me in this campaign. From first door-knocking in Newnham with Mohammad Yasin MP in 2018, to campaigning in the general election, fighting to keep services at Bedford Hospital, and reporting countless potholes, blocked drains, and other issues, I am proud to be working for the community I live in. I hope to carry this on as your local Borough Councillor for Castle & Newnham.

"With all that’s been said in this campaign, it comes down to this; if you want a local representative who will work hard for you, and has a track record of working with other councillors and our MP to get things done, please use one of your two votes for me as your Labour candidate.

"We hope to achieve a much-needed Labour government at the next general election, and having local Labour representatives already in place will mean we can achieve the most for Bedford Borough when that happens. Please also use your Mayoral vote for the extremely qualified and capable Saqhib Ali - Labour Mayoral Candidate For Bedford Borough to deliver the renewal of Bedford Borough that we need."

"Don’t forget to bring photo ID to vote!

Many thanks,

Sam Blacklaws"

With Labour, Britain can get its future back.

A vote for Labour tomorrow is a vote to cut the cost of living, cut NHS waiting lists, and cut crime.

Local elections are happening this Thursday.

Head to the polls with your ID to vote Labour and help us build a better Britain.

Labour candidate Sam Blacklaws was out and about today in the High Street, Bushmead Avenue, Bower Street, and Howbury Street, speaking to residents about their shared priorities and Labour’s plan to renew Bedford Borough.

He said “it was great to talk to people about the work I have done with Mohammad Yasin MP and Labour councillors, and how I can continue to deliver for residents in Castle & Newnham as one of our Borough Councillors. Please use one of your votes for me as your local Labour candidate, to get the best Bedford Borough Council!"

Vote Labour on Thursday 4th May - and bring photo ID!

It's been another busy week for Sam Blacklaws and the Bedford & Kempston Labour Party team in Castle & Newnham!

Sam has been talking to residents on the doorstep and sharing his latest newsletter, which has received a fantastic response throughout the ward. Sam is your local voice as a George Street resident, unlike some of the other candidates.

For a local community representative who works with Labour's Mohammad Yasin MP to support Castle & Newnham, use one of your votes for Sam Blacklaws on Thursday 4th May!

Labour pledges biggest bus service overhaul in a generation after Tory 'failure' In an interview with The Mirror, shadow transport secretary Louise Haigh said she and her colleagues are 'chomping at the bit' to get into Government and address failures piling misery on passengers

The deadline to apply for a proxy vote for the elections on 5 May 2023 is 5pm tonight. You must already be registered to vote if you would like to apply for a proxy.
Find out more at www.bedford.gov.uk/your-council/elections-and-voting/vote-proxy

Missed yesterday's deadline to get a postal vote? You can still apply for a Proxy vote until Tuesday 25 April. Find out more at www.bedford.gov.uk/your-council/elections-and-voting/vote-proxy

I've just signed an Early Day Motion which asks that the Government reconsiders its Voter ID plans in light of the low uptake of Voter Authority Certificate (VAC) applications.

The VAC application deadline is today, April 25th at 17:00, and as of the 24th of April only around 80,000 people have applied for one, while Government's own research shows that about 2.1 million UK citizens do not have an acceptable form of ID.

This risks leaving hundreds of thousands of people without a way to exercise their right to vote and jeopardising the UK democratic process.

If you are a constituent of Bedford & Kempston and are concerned that you can't vote and want to vote, please contact my office: [email protected]

Castle & Newnham residents have two votes for their councillors, and one for Mayor of Bedford Borough on Thursday 4th May.

Castle & Newnham is a new ward, made up of part of Castle Ward and part of Newnham ward. The fact is that up until 2019, three of the four councillors in those wards were conservatives.

In 2019:
- The Green candidates finished last in Newnham.
- The Lib Dems finished last in Castle.
- The tories came within fifty votes of winning a seat in Newnham.
- Labour came within fifty votes of winning a seat in Castle.
- The chances of any party winning both seats in the new ward this time are low, but there is risk we end up with a Tory councillor or Mayor.

By using your Mayoral vote and one of your ward councillor votes for Labour, you ensure a progressive, local voice for our community and a council that co-operates to work for your interests.

Don't forget to bring Photo ID on Thursday 4th May, and vote for Sam Blacklaws and Saqhib Ali to renew Bedford Borough.

It’s time to let communities unlock the potential of their high streets. 🛍️

From cutting business rates to revamping empty shops, it's great to see so many ideas from the Co-operative Party's Unlock The High Street campaign in Labour's plan to revitalise high streets across Britain.

Your local Labour candidate Sam Blacklaws has been busy delivering his latest leaflet, as well speaking with residents and local businesses about the issues that concern them.

Sam said “as a George Street resident, I always enjoy talking to my neighbours throughout Castle & Newnham about what our community needs. I’m glad to see the potholes I reported recently on Castle Road have had temporary repairs done quickly.

“It’s clear that the quality and safety of our roads are a big concern, as well as having a town centre that is enjoyable and convenient to visit. These are key priorities for Labour, and I look forward to working with other councillors, residents and businesses to help Castle & Newnham thrive!"

Polling day is Thursday 4th May - make sure you remember your photo ID. Be sure to use one of your councillor votes for Sam and your Mayoral vote for Saqhib Ali, to renew Bedford Borough.

Our local Castle & Newnham Labour team works closely with Bedford's Mohammad Yasin MP to support the NHS and protect our local health services, including Bedford Hospital and local walk-in centres.

A Labour-led council will work closely with dentists, GPs, opticians, pharmacies, and other service providers to coordinate efforts and ensure residents can access the services they need.

Bedford Borough Labour, working with a Labour government, will train double the number of doctors each year, guarantee face-to-face GP appointments, and bring back the family doctor.

Only Labour can be trusted with our NHS.

Vote Labour on 4th May.

Castle & Newnham Labour Party wishes a happy and healthy Eid al-Fitr to all Muslims celebrating in Bedford Borough and beyond.

Eid Mubarak!

Nurses leave the profession for a number of reasons. Many want to return, but don’t know where to start.

Hazera Islam recently completed the Return to Practice programme at the Trust and now works as a Paediatric Staff Nurse.

“If you are thinking about returning to nursing, do it. The course enabled me to gain confidence and practice in a professional manner once again.”

Find out more: https://www.bedfordshirehospitals.nhs.uk/news/return-to-practice-at-bedfordshire-hospitals/

Apply to return: https://www.bedfordshirehospitals.nhs.uk/working-here/job-vacancies/ #!/job/UK/Bedfordshire/Bedfordshire/Bedfordshire_Hospitals_NHS_Foundation_Trust/Opportunities_available_across_trust/Opportunities_available_across_trust-v5208666?_ts=209

Castle & Newnham candidate Sam Blacklaws attended the Bedfordshire Climate Change Forum's Mayoral Hustings yesterday.

He said "it was great to see Saqhib Ali - Labour Mayoral Candidate For Bedford Borough highlight all the ways Labour has taken action to protect our environment in Bedford Borough - from getting the council to declare a climate emergency, to leading rewilding projects. I look forward to working with him on seeing our next environmental policies through, including better cycle infrastructure, insulating homes, and improving our bus network."

A vote for Saqhib and Labour is the best bet for protecting our environment in Bedford Borough.

Vote Labour on the 4th May.

This evening I took part in a Mayoral hustings on the climate and environmental policies.

Bedford Borough's Labour Councillors have led the way on protecting our environment, including the Council's declaration of a climate emergency. A Labour led council will build on this.

Environmental assessments will be built into all major decisions being made by a Labour-run Bedford Borough Council.

Other Parties may talk about protecting the environment but it’s Labour that have taken action. This election is going to be close between Labour and the Tories. Make sure to vote Labour on Thursday 4th May.

Labour - On Your Side

A reminder that TODAY is the last day to register to vote.

It take five minutes online at gov.uk/register-to-vote

You can also sign up for a postal vote until midnight tomorrow. You can fill in the form at postalvote.labour.org.uk, then print, sign, scan, and email it to [email protected].

The Labour Party has a plan to tackle the Tory cost of living crisis and revitalise our high streets in Bedford Borough. We would:

✂️ Cut business rates
⏰ Stamp out late payments
⚡ Cut energy bills
🛍️ Revamp empty shops
👮‍♀️ Tackle antisocial behaviour with 13,000 more neighbourhood police and PSCOs

Register to vote at gov.uk/Register-to-Vote by midnight this Monday, and vote Labour on 4th May to make it happen!

Only 3 days left to register!

The deadline for registering to vote is 11:59 on Monday 17th April.

It only takes 5 minutes to register, and you can do it online.

Go to www.gov.uk/register-to-vote

These are Labour's five pledges to you in Castle & Newnham.

If you want a council that's on your side, and gets things done, this is your chance to vote for it.

Vote Labour on Thursday 4th May.

Register by 17th April: gov.uk/register-to-vote

Happy Easter from all of us at the Bedford and Kempston Labour Party.

Labour's local candidate for Castle & Newnham, Sam Blacklaws, was joined today by Mohammad Yasin MP Saqhib Ali - Labour Mayoral Candidate For Bedford Borough in speaking to residents about how Bedford & Kempston Labour Party will renew Bedford Borough.

Vote Labour on the 4th May!

From all in Castle & Newnham Labour Party, best wishes to everyone in our Jewish community celebrating Passover this evening. Chag Pesach Sameach!

March has been another busy month for Labour candidate Sam Blacklaws, working hard for Castle & Newnham residents!

Sam has been out speaking with residents throughout the ward about all the issues that effect our community, from potholes and parking to Borough budgets and renewing our public services. He has reported a number of issues to the Borough Council, including road damage, blocked drains, and broken streetlights.

Along with Mohammad Yasin MP and Saqhib Ali - Labour Mayoral Candidate For Bedford Borough, Sam has been discussing Labour's plan to renew Bedford Borough, working closely with the next Labour government.

You can read Labour's plan for Bedford Borough here: bit.ly/BedfordLabourManifesto

Make sure you register to vote in the election by 17th April, and get a free postal vote, here: www.postalvote.labour.org.uk

The Labour Party will always be committed to building a society where the trans community feel safe and respected.

Labour will:
🏳️‍⚧️ Introduce tougher sentences for LGBT+ hate crime
🏳️‍⚧️ Ban conversion therapy in all forms
🏳️‍⚧️ Modernise the outdated Gender Recognition Act

All in Castle & Newnham Labour Party were saddened to hear of Cllr Moon's passing. Cllr Moon was a long-standing and well-respected member, and our thoughts are with his loved ones at this sad time.

Breaking news: Shock as "respected" borough councillor Stephen Moon dies - Bedford Independent Cllr Stephen Moon, the former Bedford Borough Conservative Group Leader and current councillor for Great Barford Ward has died. Stephen Moon had served on...

Mohammad Yasin MP

I spent the morning at Bedford station with fellow Labour Councillors and friends to protest against the rail fare increases that came into force today. We met many commuters who are returning to work facing another inflation busting fare increase who feel angry and insulted that they are being forced to pay more after the year they have had losing their fast peak time services and struggling with hundreds of train delays and cancellations following the timetable change debacle.

Under the Tories, regulated fares, including peak fares and season tickets have risen by 36% since 2010, nearly 3 times higher than earnings for a poorer service.

A season ticket holder in Bedford now must find an extra £148 a year to get to work but they’ve lost their fast-intercity peak time services and now have to endure frequent delays and over-crowded trains. No other industry could get away with treating their customers with such disdain.

The franchising system is broken, and the Government’s shambolic mismanagement of our railways has been a national embarrassment. The Government is failing rail passengers. Prices are rising, performance is in decline, promised investment has been scrapped and industrial relations have worsened.

Government rail policy has not delivered affordable fares, decent services or value for money for taxpayers. Instead of using their powers to make the train companies freeze fares on the worst performing routes and make fares fair to encourage people to use public transport instead of cars the Government has shown once again they have no control over rail and have no regard for the environment and sustainable transport.

The railway should be a public service, not a vehicle for private profit. We must take the railway back into public ownership as franchises expire, using savings to cap fares, and upgrade and expand the rail network to create a rail network fit for the 21st Century.

Picture from left to right. Cllr Luigi Reale, Mohammad Yasin MP, Rob Walker, Cllr Sue Oliver, and Nesreen Akhtar.

Zoe Mann and Ian Nicholls were also present but not in this picture.

Mohammad Yasin MP

I had a very productive time this morning speaking to residents on the doorstep in Newnham Ward. Lots of issues were picked up, including the blocked drain in the Heather Gardens area.

I then joined Kempston Mayor James Valentine in Kempston West Ward. There were some brilliant conversations on the challenges we face as a Country going forward. As always if you do have an issue or concern please do get in touch.

Help Bedford's homeless this Christmas - CRIB 2018! - SMART

smartcjs.org.uk Christmas Relief In Bedford is ready to go! Can you support Bedford's homeless this Christmas? CRIB is very important as it helps to keep the SMART Prebend Centre running during the winter months.

Cllr James Valentine

Take a boat to Kempston
The planning application for construction of a landing stage at Kempston is now in!
It's lodged with the Borough Council and you can view the plans and comment on their website.
The Bedford & Milton Keynes Waterway Trust is presenting information about the Kempston landing at the next Town Council meeting at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday 11 December. All Town Council meetings are open to the public.

Mohammad Yasin MP

I spent the morning and early afternoon speaking to residents on the doorstep. First in Putnoe Ward, then in Kingsbrook Ward with Cllr James Saunders, and finally in Newnham Ward. Thank you to all those that spoke to us and reported issues in your area as well as many national concerns.

After that I had the pleasure of attending a Carol Service at the Pavilion in Bedford Park. It was a lovely event for all involved with some excellent carols being sung.