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Shake-up of Parliamentary Seats as Election Boundaries Change in Bedfordshire
Boundary changes mean a shake-up of Parliamentary seats in Bedfordshire for the 2024 General Election.
New Constituencies Emerge
As the election approaches, the political landscape in Bedfordshire is markedly different due to boundary changes. While the Mid Bedfordshire seat remains largely unaltered, several other constituencies have undergone significant transformations. North East Bedfordshire has now been renamed North Bedfordshire, and South West Bedfordshire has morphed into Dunstable and Leighton Buzzard.
Significant areas of Bedfordshire, including Arlesey, Henlow, Stotfold, and Shefford, are now part of the Hitchin constituency this year. This realignment is expected to bring new dynamics to the upcoming elections.
Key Candidates and Contests
In the Dunstable and Leighton Buzzard constituency, Conservative candidate Andrew Selous, who has held the South West Bedfordshire Parliamentary seat since 2001, is running for re-election. He faces competition from five other candidates: Emma Holland-Lindsay of the Liberal Democrats, Sukhinder Hundal of the Green Party, Alex Mayer for Labour, Harry Palmer representing Reform UK, and Antonio Vitiello standing for the Patriots Alliance – English Democrats and UKIP.
The Mid Bedfordshire seat, previously held by Labour MP Alistair Strathern—who is now vying for the Hitchin constituency—sees seven candidates aiming to replace him. Representing the Social Democratic Party is Richard Brunning, while Dave Holland stands for Reform UK. Independent candidate Gareth Mackey, who is also the CBC chairman and Flitwick councillor, enters the fray. Labour's flag is carried by former Luton borough councillor Maahwish Mirza, with Stuart Roberts for the Liberal Democrats, Cade Sibley for the Green Party, and Blake Stephenson of the Conservative party also competing.
North Bedfordshire Contest
The newly named North Bedfordshire constituency sees incumbent Conservative MP Richard Fuller seeking re-election. He won the seat in its previous format in 2019 and had earlier served as Bedford MP from 2010 to 2017. Challenging him are Pippa Clayton for Reform UK, Philippa Fleming for the Green Party, Uday Nagaraju representing Labour, and Joanna Szaub-Newton for the Liberal Democrats.
Hitchin Constituency Race
Alistair Strathern faces a tough battle in the Hitchin constituency against Bim Afolami of the Conservative Party, who was the MP for Hitchin and Harpenden from 2017 to 2024. Other candidates include Charles Bunker for Reform UK, Sid Cordle representing the Christian Peoples Alliance, William Lavin of the Green Party, and Chris Lucas for the Liberal Democrats.
Voting Logistics
Residents of these newly defined constituencies can cast their votes tomorrow (Thursday), with polling stations open from 7am until 10pm. The counting of votes will take place through the night, with results expected to be announced shortly thereafter.
by Euan Duncan
Local Democracy Reporter
