An Open Letter to Bedford
By Peter McCormack
Note: While this letter may speak in terms of “I,” it must be understood as a call from “we.” This is not just a personal mission, it is a collective effort, shaped by the voices of local residents and businesses I’ve spoken to and worked with. What follows is not merely my opinion, but the shared concerns and aspirations of our community.
A Call to Reclaim Our Town
I want to open with three simple questions:
Have you noticed the decline in Bedford?
Do you think things are getting worse?
And do you want things to get better?
If your answer to these questions is yes, then I am asking, wholeheartedly and without reservation, for you to join me and be part of the solution.
Decline is not just a problem in Bedford. Towns and cities across Britain are struggling with the same issues, but that does not mean it must be this way. For the last year, I’ve been studying this decline, travelling to different countries, meeting with people leading change, digging into the causes and the history, always asking the questions “why is this happening and how can it be fixed?”
The answer, in the end, is painfully simple: The problem is government. And they are not equipped to fix this.
This is not about Left or Right. It is not about Labour, Conservative, or Reform. This is a multi-decade erosion of civic pride and responsibility, a decline fuelled by poor policy, poor incentives and a national economic model that squeezes the economic blood out of towns like ours.
I have also come to a sad and painful conclusion: Government will not come to save us.
As such, it is down to us to spark a civic response and take the restoration of our town into our own hands. If you want a town that is beautiful, and prosperous, where local businesses thrive, where your children are safe, then you have a duty to be part of that civic restoration. Every single one of you.
You must join working groups. You must support local initiatives. You must spend your money locally. But if you sit idly by and wait for someone else to fix it, I say this unapologetically: you are part of the problem.
This week I announced the launch of a pilot private security programme in Bedford. It’s a small but important first step in a wider effort to reclaim our town.
On Thursday, 24th July at 7pm, I’ll be hosting a civic meeting at Real Coffee. I’ll provide the coffee. You bring your ideas and your commitment. Together, we’ll begin mapping out a vision: to reclaim the soul of Bedford and make it once again a thriving, safe, and successful market town. You don’t need permission. You don’t need a licence. You only need the courage to stand up and act.
So What Can You Do?
This is not a one-man mission, I don’t have all the ideas and some might be wrong, I am only trying to coordinate effort. This is about all of us.
Security:
I’m personally funding a pilot programme of private security patrols. If you’re ex-police or have experience in this area and want to volunteer your time, come and join us.Cleaning:
The council has done its best, but it’s an endless task. We need volunteers to pick up rubbish, fix things and clean graffiti. I will provide the materials for this, I need volunteers to help.Culture & Creativity:
These Saturdays should not be viewed as defensive, they are a celebration. If you run a local business, lean in. Throw open your doors. Make Bedford buzz again.Marketing & Media:
We need help communicating what we’re building. If you’re a marketer, designer, or media-savvy local, help us amplify this effort to support the town.
Most Importantly…Spend Your Money in Bedford
Everyone can do this. Make a personal commitment to visit the town centre once or twice more each month. Mooch in the shops. Eat at local restaurants. Spend some money with your neighbours.
Every pound spent locally circulates back into our community. Buy your meat from the local butcher, not Tesco, and you support local farmers. Buy your coffee from the local café, and you’re paying for someone’s ballet lessons, not a dividend to Starbucks shareholders.
Yes, the supermarket is convenient. Yes, Starbucks has a pumpkin spice whatever. But those small decisions of convenience are slowly hollowing out our town.
This requires effort. Conscious effort. And if you make it, the town will respond.
You’ll see the florist return. The butcher reopen. New restaurants emerge. It’s happened in every successful market town where people chose to invest in themselves.
But if we do nothing? If we pass up this opportunity? Then we will get what we deserve.
On Private Security
The security pilot will be operated by Belmont Security, an experienced and licensed private security firm. They will deploy 10 security personnel to operate from 8am to 6pm every Saturday throughout August.
While many have welcomed the initiative, I know there are a minority with concerns. Let me be clear: this project operates entirely within the bounds of common law. We are not establishing a parallel police force, we are exercising our right to protect people and property. There are many similar programmes operating up and down our country.
Our patrols will support businesses, protect car parks, and ensure safe access into town. They will liaise with the police on any incidents and supply evidence for prosecution. And if the police decline to act, we will consider private prosecutions. Because repeat offenders must face consequences.
We are not here to harass or intimidate, we are here to welcome and support. But we will not tolerate:
Open drug use
Shoplifting
Aggressive begging
Public intoxication
Littering, spitting, harassment
E-bikes and scooters weaving through pedestrians
If you are against this, if you believe the above is okay, then I am afraid I do not have the time to discuss this with you. The rights of the many must not be sacrificed to protect the criminal few.
To the Police Officers of Bedford
You have my unwavering support. You are doing God’s work under impossible circumstances. I’ve spoken to you, and I know the challenges you face: chronic underfunding, political meddling, and red tape. You didn’t join the force to file reports and pose for social media photos. You joined to do police work. Let’s work together.
To John Tizard
Calling this a political stunt is beneath you. I met you face to face and told you that all I care about is the safety of the town. You had the chance to lead. You chose vanity. You sent out camera crews instead of patrols. Weakness dressed up as spin. Your focus on PR ahead of policing is the embodiment of a political stunt, style over substance at the expense of public safety.
You are a weak man and you are unfit for the role. Resign.
To the Mayor and Council
I appreciate your time and candour. I now understand the impossible financial pressures you face. Mandates from central government leave you with few tools and fewer choices. But the people are ready to step in. We are here to support you.
To the People of Bedford
Every single one of you has a role to play. And if you do not contribute, then do not complain. I’m willing to put in the time and the money. Please, help me.
Come to the meeting.
Join a working group.
Start your own initiative.
Support your local shops.
Reclaim Bedford.
Hopefully I will see as many of you as possible on Thursday.
—
Peter McCormack
