Cllr Stephen Moon has announced that he has stood down as Leader of Bedford Borough Council’s Conservative Group.

He took the decision at the Group’s AGM on the 9th May.  Members subsequently elected Cllr Graeme Coombes as Group Leader with immediate effect.

Cllr Moon (Great Barford Ward) said:

‘It has been a privilege to lead the Conservative Group for the past 7 years.  Nevertheless, I have decided now is the right time to step down and allow a new Group Leader to take on the role following the Borough Council election.

‘I was very pleased to nominate Cllr Graeme Coombes to take over the position, which was supported unanimously by members.  Graeme has a wealth of experience having been a councillor in Birmingham and London, as well as representing Wilstead & Wixams since 2011.  He will be very effective in holding the Mayor’s administration to account.

‘I would like to thank members of the Conservative Group past and present for their support.’

Cllr Coombes (Wilshamstead Ward) said:

‘Cllr Moon has been an exceptional Group Leader since 2012.  He is an example of how politics should be conducted; a formidable presence when questioning those in power but always acting respectfully and with decorum.

‘It is an honour to be elected as the new Leader of the Conservative Group.  We are obviously disappointed at losing councillors in the recent election but there are positives to take forward; our councillor candidates received the most votes and Gianni Carofano’s engaging Mayoral campaign clearly resonated with residents and reduced the Mayor’s majority.

‘We congratulate Mayor Hodgson on his re-election but we will continue to challenge his record and put forward our own vision for Bedford Borough.’