Olly Martins for Bedfordshire Police & Crime Commissioner
October 24th, 2012
On 15 November voters in Bedfordshire will elect a Police and Crime Commissioner with the power to set budgets and priorities for the police and choose the chief constable.
Labour’s candidate, Olly Martins, is committed to maintaining an effective, reasonably resourced police service that will be effective in our communities. The Tory candidate believes in 20% cuts with reductions in police numbers and community support officers and privatisation of work to G4S, who made such a spectacular mess of the Olympics.
The co-leader of the English Defence League is also standing and trying desperately to drum support. He was arrested last weekend as part of a group of EDL supporters who allegedly planned to target a mosque in East London. The leader of EDL is currently on remand. The idea of a racist having any influence over our police is horrifying.
Olly has been meeting people across Bedfordshire to listen to their concerns, and we’ve been pleased to campaign with him here in Goldington.
You can find out more about the election, cuts and Olly by watching this short video – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vFydvcUIknc
READ MOREAnti-Freeze Additive Would Stop Animal Deaths
March 7th, 2012
Bedfordshire on Sunday has recently reported on a spate of cat deaths around Maskell Drive as a result of the pets drinking anti-freeze.
It isn’t really known if the deaths were accidental or deliberate; apparently cats and other animals enjoy the taste of anti-freeze.
If the government were to require manufacturers to add a bitter agent, then the deaths of much loved pets could be avoided. Legislation already exists to require additives for other chemicals.
We’re backing his petition (nothing to do with the Labour Party as far as I know), please take a minute to sign it.
http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/12547
READ MOREDave Lukes
February 5th, 2012
Tomorrow is the funeral of Dave Lukes. Dave was an enthusiastic and energetic campaigner for Labour in Goldington and beyond. More than that, he was a decent, kind, funny man who was committed to the causes he believed in as well as a devoted husband, father and grandfather.
It is barely more than six months since Dave was out campaigning with us in the borough elections, where he made an invaluable contribution to a great result for the party. It was only in October that, despite his illness, he wanted to try and find ways to help. He was extremely active, leading cycle rides for clubs in Bedford. To see cancer claim him so fast just shows what a random and unfair illness it is.
Most of all, so many people have lost a good friend and his family have lost so much more. He will be missed.
The funeral will take place at Norse Road Crematorium at 1.45pm.
READ MOREGoldington Election Results 2009 Vs 2011
May 7th, 2011
Here were our results from yesterday…
FORTH, Anthony Labour Party Candidate 620
FORTH, Hazera Labour Party Candidate 582
GILLARD, Sylvia Anne – ELECTED Liberal Democrat Focus Team 960
MERRYMAN, Phil – ELECTED Liberal Democrat Focus Team 897
ROBERTSON, John Norman Conservative Party Candidate 542
ROSE, Gillian Mary Conservative Party Candidate 454
…and these were the results from 2009…
Labour (Garrick): 290
Liberal Democrat (Gillard): 1107 – ELECTED
Liberal Democrat (Merryman): 1049 – ELECTED
Labour (Roome): 299
Conservative (Rose): 715
Conservative (Stonebridge): 682
In two of the wards neighbouring us (both smaller in size) the LibDems increased their majorities receiving over 1500 votes each (and over 2000 in one case). Plus they held the elected mayor of Bedford with an increased majority, so our improvement was not inevitable. We also faced an active Tory challenge.
