The Demise of Better Bedford

Liberal Democrats have responded to the news that the Better Bedford Party group on the Borough Council, comprising just two Councillors, is disbanding. Councillors Margaret Davey and Peter Chiswell are joining the Independent group in what appears to be a recognition of the party's diminishing strength across the Borough.

Commenting, Bedford Borough Lib Dem Group Leader Cllr Michael Headley said:

"This signals the end of Better Bedford as a political party, and clearly the verdict on the party must be that it has failed. It is a party that even in its short history has had its own split, with the creation of the now forgotten ABC Party. Mayor Branston appears to have been elected despite the party he created, rather than because of it. The party always tried to be all things to all people by claiming to be "independent", whilst being a nationally registered political party. "

"The verdict of the electorate at the recent ward elections went against the Better Bedford Party, with Better Bedford coming in a poor fourth overall and finishing up with only 2 out of the 53 councillors on the council. The decision to wind up the Better Bedford political group on the council is not surprising in these circumstances. "