Following last night’s election, I just wanted to congratulate the new Mid Bedfordshire MP Alastair Strathern on his win and to extend an offer to work with him on behalf of our residents.

 Of course, the results were disappointing for the Conservative Party and, most of all, my friend and colleague, Festus Akinbusoye, who led a fantastic campaign built on positive change. But this election serves as a wake-up call to our Conservative leaders to listen to what voters are saying.

However, what residents want to see are politicians working together collaboratively and constructively. Not sour grapes, finger-wagging, and misdirection without any solutions. So, on behalf of Bedford Borough Council, I would like to invite the new Mid Bedfordshire MP to Borough Hall to discuss a range of issues and plans.

While the election was raging on in Mid Bedfordshire, the Conservative Council was hard at work, putting together a bold, ambitious plan for Bedford Borough.

I know Alastair has taken great interest in Wixams, and I would be happy to show him the Conservative approved £9 million funding package, which will secure a GP Surgery in Wixams and other priority areas – putting an end to residents being forced to travel miles, at significant cost, just to see a GP. We are also continuing to make steady progress on the Wixams station.

I look forward to working constructively with the new Mid Bedfordshire MP to deliver for all our residents.