![NEWS STORY : Conservative Tom Wootton has been elected Mayor of Bedford [May 2023]](https://www.ukpol.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/ukpol-150x150.jpg)
STORY
Conservative Tom Wootton has won the election to become the Mayor of Bedford, beating the incumbent Liberal Democrat Mayor, Dave Hodgson, by 145 votes.
The results were:
| Name of Candidate | Description | Number of Votes Recorded* |
|---|---|---|
| ALI, SAQHIB IJTHEHAD | Labour Party | 11,568 |
| HODGSON, DAVE | Liberal Democrat | 15,602 |
| SPURRELL, ADRIAN PAUL | Green Party | 3,795 |
| THOMAS, ALBERTO GEORGE | Heritage Party | 887 |
| WOOTTON, TOM | Conservative Party Candidate | 15,747 |
EXTERNAL NEWS LINKS
The comments made by Rishi Sunak, the Prime Minister, on 6 May 2023.
Today’s Coronation is a moment of extraordinary national pride. No other country could put on such a dazzling display. But it is not just a spectacle. It’s a proud expression of our history, culture, and traditions. It is a vivid demonstration of the modern character of our country. And a cherished ritual through which a new era is born. God Save The King.
The comments made by Keir Starmer, the Leader of the Opposition, on Twitter on 5 May 2023.
We’ve changed our party.
We’ve won the trust and confidence of voters.
And now we can go on to change our country: to cut the cost of living, cut waiting times and cut crime.
Let’s build a better Britain.
The comments made by Andrew Bridgen, the Independent MP for North West Leicestershire, on Twitter on 5 May 2023.
A dire night for the Conservative Party in the local elections. Ignore the will of people at your peril.
When the people are scared of the politicians that’s tyranny, when the politicians are scared of the people that’s democracy.
A lot of politicians will rightly be getting scared now.
The comments made by John Redwood, the Conservative MP for Wokingham, on Twitter on 5 May 2023.
Many former Conservative voters stayed at home in protest at high taxes, lack of control of our borders, and too much local and national government interference in their lives.
The statement made by Simon Clarke, the Conservative MP for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland, on 5 May 2023.
The comments made by Johnny Mercer, the Conservative MP for Plymouth Moor View, on Twitter on 5 May 2023.
I’m afraid it’s been a terrible night in Plymouth as we lost every seat we stood in. We lost some outstanding friends and colleagues who have given decades of service to Plymouth.
Take it on the chin, learn and go again tomorrow. It’s going to be a fight but I like a fight.
COUNCILLOR DATABASE
Pauline Porter is the councillor for the ward of Bacton on North Norfolk council.
They were elected as a councillor until 4 May 2027 and they represent the Conservative Party.
This database is a growing resource where we hope to interview councillors, link to news stories relating to them and add any speeches or interviews they make. Please do contact us with any updates to the information provided above or for any councillors to offer us interviews about their work.
STORY
Chris Cooke has been elected as the Mayor of Middlesbrough, narrowly beating the incumbent Andy Preston who was first elected to the role in 2019.
The result was:
Chris Cooke (Labour) – 10,956 votes
John Henry Cooper (Conservative) – 2,997 votes
Andy Preston (Independent) – 10.196 votes
Jon Rathmell (Independent) – 3,102 votes
Electorate: 99,034
Turnout: 27.8%
EXTERNAL NEWS LINKS
![PRESS RELEASE : The UK is committed to working with all countries to advance peace, security and development – UK Statement at the Security Council [May 2023]](https://www.ukpol.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/fco-150x150.png)
The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 3 May 2023.
Statement by Ambassador Barbara Woodward at the UN Security Council meeting on peacebuilding and sustaining peace.
Thank you, President and I join others in congratulating Switzerland on assuming the presidency and I can assure you of our full support.
I would also like to thank High Commissioner Türk, Youth Ambassador Chigwenya and Professor Olonisakin for their informative briefings.
It is fitting that the country of Jean-Jacques Rousseau begins its Security Council presidency with an event on the importance of trust and the Social Contract. That Swiss philosopher’s belief that people could only experience true freedom only in a society that ensured the rights and well-being of its citizens still resonates more than two and a half centuries later. And Rousseau’s veneration of government under law finds a natural home in this Chamber and the UN Charter.
Trust in national and international institutions is central to their legitimacy, and to the fabric of society as we have heard today. And yet trust in both has been severely tested. Today, we face complex and interconnected challenges to peace, security and development. To overcome these, we have to rebuild that trust.
Switzerland’s concept note should chime with us all: inclusion is key to building peaceful societies; global normative frameworks provide the guardrails for peaceful order; and facts, truth and transparency are crucial to enabling trust. These elements are the heart of the Sustaining Peace agenda.
How can we build on that? I echo and underline three themes that we have heard already today.
First, the Council and the UN system can do more to anticipate risks and mobilise multilateral assistance earlier. Harnessing new technologies will revolutionise the way we understand conflict dynamics, enabling us to get ahead of crises and mitigate human suffering. We should nurture the trust and cooperation necessary to realise this.
Second, we should use the full breadth of peacebuilding tools for more integrated and coherent responses. The Peacebuilding Fund and the Peacebuilding Commission can support nationally-led prevention strategies and empower countries to build the trust and partnerships needed to turbocharge their peace and development trajectories.
Third, and critical to building trust and sustaining peace, is our collective commitment to the Women, Peace and Security agenda. We need to translate our commitments into action, strengthening women’s full and meaningful inclusion in decision-making and peace and development processes.
President, the United Kingdom is committed to working with all countries to advance nationally-owned peace, security and development objectives. Let us all work – here and at home – to restore the truth and the trust needed to realise these goals.
Thank you.