It is with great sadness that I have made the decision to leave the Labour Party. As a General Election candidate in both 2017 and 2019, the Labour Party has been a significant part of my life over the last decade, and I have had the opportunity to meet many incredible people, both within and … Continue reading Love’s Labour’s Lost
Category: Politics
Accountability and CBC
In April this year, I wrote the following about the 'Independent Alliance' led Central Bedfordshire Council... "...It is also particularly disappointing that the current leadership of the Council seems to resent being held accountable, or being subjected to the very scrutiny they were actually once rather effective at when in opposition...". Earlier this week, I … Continue reading Accountability and CBC
Central Beds Council – 1m trees by 2030 (How’s it going?)
In 2020, Central Bedfordshire Council (CBC) set a target to plant 1 million trees by 2030. However, it has failed to set a) an annual tree planting target b) include it as one of the Council's Key Performance Indicators. As a result, it is probably little surprise from the evidence to date that tree planting … Continue reading Central Beds Council – 1m trees by 2030 (How’s it going?)
Fear, Hate and Reform UK
We all want to protect our families and ensure that our children are safe. Any perceived threat to our family will naturally create fear. It's a primal emotion, deeply ingrained in our psychology (far easier to stir up than love) and one that has been crucial to our survival. Unfortunately, opportunistic politicians such as Farage, … Continue reading Fear, Hate and Reform UK
Biggleswade Lifts Update – 23rd July 2025
Earlier today, we attended a site visit to the lift works at Biggleswade railway station. This site visit was hosted by Network Rail and apart from members of the Bedfordshire Rail Access Network team, was attended by local Town Councillors, Central Bedfordshire Councillors, Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) representatives and our local MP Richard Fuller. Below … Continue reading Biggleswade Lifts Update – 23rd July 2025
Who is holding Labour’s moral compass?
*This blog, written on 26th June, has been updated on 27th June to comment on the concessions/U-Turn made by the government. Solidarity with the 100-plus Labour MPs who are taking a stand against the government to support the most vulnerable people in our communities. I can confirm that if I were in their position, I … Continue reading Who is holding Labour’s moral compass?
Which way now for Rail Accessibility under Labour?
A post on why we should all be concerned about the Labour government's commitment to an accessible rail network. Below is a list of the 50 stations selected for 'Access for All' (A4A) funding in May 2024 by the last Conservative government. Aigburth Ash Vale Battle Bellgrove Bodmin Parkway Bredbury Bushey Castle Cary Chinley Church … Continue reading Which way now for Rail Accessibility under Labour?
The Future for Rail Accessibility
The glacial progress of the 'Access for All' scheme means that at the current rate of progress, the UK rail network won't be accessible for around 100 years. This highlights the culture within government and the rail industry, which views accessibility as a favour rather than a fundamental right. Listen to any politician or rail … Continue reading The Future for Rail Accessibility
An open letter to CBC re Highways Budget
Below is an email sent on 27th January to the Leader of Central Bedfordshire Council and the Executive member for Finance and Highways regarding their use of the government's cash boost to fix our roads, the intention of which is to reduce their contribution to the Highways budget by the amount of extra funding provided … Continue reading An open letter to CBC re Highways Budget
The case for ‘Leveson 2’ is stronger than ever
The settlement by the owners of 'The Sun' to avoid their grubby practices being picked through in court calls into question the truthfulness of evidence given under oath by their senior executives, many of whom are still in positions of power today. The need for a Leveson 2 Inquiry has never been clearer. The print … Continue reading The case for ‘Leveson 2’ is stronger than ever
Julian Vaughan 