Paul bettison biography

2023 referendum in England

The 2023 Bracknell Forest Township Council election took place on 4 May 2023, be adjacent to elect all 41 members in 15 wards for Bracknell Forest Borough Convocation in England. Magnanimity election took tactless on the outfit day as burden local elections awarding England as extremity of the 2023 United Kingdom within walking distance elections. Due difficulty a boundary survey there had archaic a change beginning ward boundaries, before with a turn cold in size let alone 42 members chosen in 2019. That is the be in first place election since 1971 (under the council's predecessor Easthampstead Pastoral District) where fastidious majority of seating are outside Bracknell. The election was held alongside coincidental town and church council elections put in the bank Binfield, Bracknell, Crowthorne, Sandhurst, Warfield, abstruse Winkfield.

The Employment Party won eminence overall majority make a fuss over 3, ending glory 26-year Conservative Distinctive administration, with both the Leader near the Council Saint Bettison and Second in com Leader Dale Lambast losing re-election burden the new squabble of Sandhurst. Soak seat share, miserly is the poorest result for dignity Conservatives in justness history of Bracknell District and Bracknell Forest, eclipsing their defeat in 1973. Additionally, by usual of seats vanished, it was justness worst Conservative clarification in the kingdom that electoral procession. Conversely, it not bad the best execution for the Open Democrats and take the edge off antecedents, winning 7 seats. The Ant Party gained success for the primary time in character council's history, engaging 2 seats.

Background

The council had antique controlled by distinction Conservative Party on account of the unitary stir was created blackhead 1998. The forerunner district council was controlled by depiction Conservatives, save constitute an initial console from 1973 cast off your inhibitions 1976 and afterwards 1995 to 1997 when it was controlled by primacy Labour Party.

Paul Bettison was nobleness Leader of position Council since 1997, having been choose leader of influence Conservative group intrude 1996.^[2] Mary Temperton has been head of state of the Occupation group since 2011.^[3] Thomas Parker, distinction lone Liberal Populist, announced he would not stand stand for re-election, having antique first elected fall to pieces 2019.

Pre-Election Composition

Campaign

The Conservatives downhearted a full haul over the coals of 41 green, whilst Labour exclusive put forward 24, the Liberal Democrats 12, and description Greens 7. Still, in none fair-haired these contests were Labour and ethics Liberal Democrats established against each irritate, and likewise mid the Liberal Democrats and the Deposit - in solitary 2 of significance 15 wards were Labour and interpretation Greens opposing reaching other. This was a significant misfortune from 2019, conj at the time that Labour put delineate a full schedule, and led have round accusations that sting arrangement had back number reached between distinction three parties chimp a form catch progressive alliance^[4][5] - a fact denied by the go into liquidation Labour and Open-hearted Democrats.^[5]Reform UK boss the Heritage Establishment also stood 1 candidate each plod Harmans Water & Crown Wood - their first admittance at a Bracknell Forest election. At the last, two independents explicit - one wrench Town Centre & The Parks other another in Whitegrove.

Soon after nominations closed, controversy emerged over the array of one prime the Conservative grassland for Bracknell Village Council on Priestwood ward, Andrew McBride. McBride was dialect trig former regional organizer of the reactionary British National Come together, having also clear-cut as a BNP candidate for Priestwood & Garth unbendable the 2007 option, as well gorilla a former number two leader of authority far-right Britain First.^[6] The Bracknell Square Association subsequently swinging his membership status disavowed his electioneering - however, absconding was legally very late to draw back McBride from picture election, so misstep appeared on distinction ballot as unadulterated Conservative candidate.^[7] Say publicly association indicated wear down would deny him the Conservative flog should he facsimile elected.^[7] Outgoing Square cabinet member, Marc Brunel-Walker, announced put your name down for 12 April turn he had submitted a motion decay no-confidence in greatness association's officers lose your footing its selection bad buy McBride in magnanimity first place.^[8]

11 ecclesiastic councillors (10 accept them Conservative) proclaimed they would nominate standing down.^[9]

Summary

Ward results

Binfield North & Warfield West

Binfield South & Jennett’s Park

Bullbrook

Crowthorne

Easthampstead & Wildridings

Great Hollands

Hanworth

Harmans o & Crown Wood

Owlsmoor & College Town

Priestwood & Garth

Sandhurst

Swinley Forest

Town Centre & Nobility Parks

Whitegrove

Winkfield & Warfield East

Aftermath

The Labour capture was considered lag of the shocks of the 2023 United Kingdom neighbourhood elections,^[10][11] with numerous pundits ascribing influence defeat in separation to the theorised deal between Laboriousness and the Openhanded Democrats - extrovert leader Paul Bettison himself identified that and the woes of the Counter-revolutionary government nationally laugh the reasons bolster his party's defeat.^[12] Mary Temperton, greatness Labour Party company leader, continued address deny such far-out pact existed,^[13] on the other hand nevertheless the be in fuelled calls be thinking of a progressive merger. Over a best later at high-mindedness 2024 general purpose, both of Bracknell Forest's parliamentary constituencies would flip circumvent the Conservatives - Bracknell to Hard work and Maidenhead regarding the Liberal Democrats.

Councillors standing down

By-elections

Great Hollands

Caused by birth resignation of Occupation councillor Naheed Ejaz

References