Mayor of Bedford

Mayor of Bedford
Incumbent
Dave Hodgson
since 16 October 2009
Style No courtesy title or style
Appointer Electorate of Bedford
Term length Four years
Inaugural holder Frank Branston
Website Mayor of Bedford

The Mayor of Bedford is a directly elected mayor responsible for the executive function of Bedford Borough Council in Bedfordshire. The incumbent is Dave Hodgson of the Liberal Democrats.

History

The first known reference to a Mayor of Bedford in England was in 1264.

Prior to the Municipal Corporations Act, 1835, the Mayor of Bedford came into office on 29 September. The first Mayor of the reformed Corporation came into office on 1 January 1836, and subsequent Mayors on 9 November. After the Local Government Act, 1948, and the Local Government Act, 1972, the Mayors from 1949 onwards came into office in May. The civic Mayor was replaced by a directly elected Mayor in 2002.

Since April 2009 the Borough of Bedford is a unitary authority, with the executive having the powers and functions of both a non-metropolitan district and a non-metropolitan county.

Referendum

Bedford held a referendum on 21 February 2002 on whether to introduce a directly elected mayor after a petition was signed by at least 5% of the electorate. The move was approved with 11,316 voting in favour and 5,357 against on a turnout of 15.5%.[1]

Mayor of Bedford referendum
21 February 2002
Choice Votes %
Referendum passed Elected Mayor 11,316 66.78
Cabinet System 5,537 33.22
Valid votes 16,843 99.60
Invalid or blank votes 34 0.40
Total votes 16887 100.00
Registered voters and turnout 108,817 15.54
Source: Bedford Borough Council[2]

Elections

The first mayoral election on 17 October 2002 saw independent Frank Branston elected as mayor.[3]

2002

Bedford Mayoral Election 17 October 2002 [4][5]
Party Candidate 1st Round % 2nd Round Total  First Round Votes  Transfer Votes 
Better Bedford Party Frank Branston 9,557 2,521 12,078
​ ​
Liberal Democrat Christine McHugh 4,711 2,253 6,964
​ ​
Conservative Charles Rose 4,661
​ ​
Labour Apu Bagchi 4,114
​ ​
Independent Ian Clifton 1,893
​ ​
Independent Arthur Foster 1,826
​ ​
Green Mark Powell 735
​ ​
Independent Gurminder Dosanjh 218
​ ​
Better Bedford Party win

2007

In 2007 Frank Branston was re-elected as mayor.

Bedford Mayoral Election 3 May 2007 [6]
Party Candidate 1st Round % 2nd Round Total  First Round Votes  Transfer Votes 
Better Bedford Party Frank Branston 15,966 3,732 19,698
​ ​
Conservative Charles Rose 10,710 2,603 13,313
​ ​
Liberal Democrat Christine McHugh 10,533
​ ​
Labour Randolph Charles 4,758
​ ​
Green Justina McLennan 1,538
​ ​
Better Bedford Party hold

2009 By-Election

A by-election took place on 15 October 2009 after the death of the previous incumbent, Frank Branston in August 2009.[7] The by-election was won by the Liberal Democrat, Dave Hodgson.[7]

Bedford Mayoral By-Election 15 October 2009 [8]
Party Candidate 1st Round % 2nd Round Total  First Round Votes  Transfer Votes 
Liberal Democrat Dave Hodgson 9,428 4,127 13,555
​ ​
Conservative Parvez Akhtar 9,105 2,438 11,543
​ ​
Independent Apu Bagchi 7,631
​ ​
Independent Tony Hare 4,316
​ ​
Labour James Valentine 3,482
​ ​
Green Eve Robinson-Morley 1,183
​ ​
Liberal Democrat gain from Better Bedford Party

2011

Dave Hodgson was elected to a full term as Mayor on 5 May 2011 after being elected to finish the term of Frank Branston in 2009.

Bedford Mayoral Election 5 May 2011 [9]
Party Candidate 1st Round % 2nd Round Total  First Round Votes  Transfer Votes 
Liberal Democrat Dave Hodgson 19,966 4,325 24,291
​ ​
Conservative John Guthrie 17,501 1,824 19,325
​ ​
Labour Michelle Harris 11,197
​ ​
Independent Tony Hare 3,133
​ ​
Green Greg Paszynski 1,211
​ ​
Liberal Democrat hold

2015

The next mayoral election will take place on 7 May 2015, the same day as elections of Bedford Borough Councillors, and the UK General Election.

The following candidates (in alphabetical order) have been selected or declared their intention to stand:

References

  1. ↑ Parker, Simon (2002-02-22). "Bedford wants a mayor". London: guardian.co.uk. Retrieved 2009-12-11.
  2. ↑ "Referendum on an elected Mayor for Bedford Borough council". Bedford Borough Council. 21 February 2002. Retrieved 20 December 2012.
  3. ↑ Sherman, Jill (2002-10-19). "Maverick mayors add to Labour's embarrassment". London: The Times. Retrieved 2009-12-11.
  4. ↑ "Still In the Hunt! Bedford Mayor Election: First Round Result". North Bedfordshire Liberal Democrats. 17 October 2002. Retrieved 21 December 2012.
  5. ↑ "Bedford Borough Council Mayoral Election". Bedford Borough Council. 17 October 2002. Retrieved 21 December 2012.
  6. ↑ "Bedford Borough Council Mayoral Election". Bedford Borough Council. 3 May 2007. Retrieved 21 December 2012.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 "Lib Dems claim victory in Bedford mayor race". 24dash.com. 2009-10-16. Retrieved 2009-10-17.
  8. ↑ "Bedford Borough Council Mayoral Election". Bedford Borough Council. 15 October 2009. Retrieved 21 December 2012.
  9. ↑ "Bedford Borough Council Mayoral Election". Bedford Borough Council. 5 May 2011. Retrieved 21 December 2012.
  10. ↑ http://www.bedfordlabour.org.uk/tim_douglas_for_mayor
  11. ↑ http://www.bedfordtoday.co.uk/news/local/tax-cuts-pledge-by-conservative-mayoral-candidate-1-6511283