title: 1979 Mid Bedfordshire District Council election
text: # 1979 Mid Bedfordshire District Council election
  
  Elections to Mid Bedfordshire District Council were held on 3 May 1979, on the same day as the general election, so turnout was higher than usual in district council elections for Mid Bedfordshire. All 53 seats were up for election.
  
  ## Result
  
  There were now 53 seats on the council, compared with 49 in 1976. Gains and losses in the results table are compared with the 1976 district council election.
  
  Mid Bedfordshire District Council Election Result 1979 :
  
  | Party | Seats | Net gain/loss | Seats % | Votes % | Votes | +/− |
  | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
  | Conservative | 31 | +1 | 58.5 | 43.4 | 20,677 | +0.1 |
  | Independent | 16 | +2 | 30.2 | 24.3 | 11,563 | +0.3 |
  | Labour | 5 | +2 | 9.4 | 24.5 | 11,686 | -1.2 |
  | Ind. Conservative | 1 | +1 | 1.9 | 4.4 | 2,086 | +2.8 |
  | Liberal | 0 | -1 | 0.0 | 5.4 | 1,631 | -2.0 |
  
  ## Ward Results
  
  All results are listed below:
  
  Figures on turnout were taken from Plymouth University's Elections Centre, which gives the number of registered voters, and the percentage turnout for each ward. The number of ballots cast for each ward was calculated from these. Percentage change in turnout is compared with the same ward in the 1976 District Council election.
  
  The percentage of the vote for each candidate was calculated compared with the number of ballots cast in the ward. Note that in a ward with more than one seat, voters were allowed to place as many crosses on the ballot paper as seats. The percentage change for each candidate is compared with the same candidate in the 1976 District Council election.
  
  Candidates who were members of the council before the election are marked with an asterisk.
  
  ### Ampthill
  
  Ampthill (3 seats, 4,224 registered voters) :
  
  | Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
  | - | - | - | - | - | - |
  | | Conservative | Ms A Cowell | 1,728 | 51.8 | |
  | | Conservative | Ms A Palmer* | 1,566 | 46.9 | +7.8 |
  | | Labour | Ms G Wagstaff | 1,480 | 44.4 | +14.5 |
  | | Conservative | B Soaper | 1,399 | 41.9 | |
  | | Liberal | Ms M Laycock | 1,141 | 34.2 | |
  | | Liberal | J Low | 895 | 26.8 | |
  | Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 3,337 | 79.0 | +6.0 |
  
  ### Arlesey
  
  Arlesey (2 seats, 2,762 registered voters) :
  
  | Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
  | - | - | - | - | - | - |
  | | Conservative | Ms A Albon* | 1,227 | 55.1 | -0.9 |
  | | Conservative | R Turner | 1,028 | 46.2 | +5.5 |
  | | Labour | David Harrowell | 995 | 44.7 | |
  | | Labour | J Tizard | 678 | 30.5 | |
  | Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 2,226 | 80.6 | +29.5 |
  
  ### Aspley
  
  Aspley (2 seats, 2,376 registered voters) :
  
  | Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
  | - | - | - | - | - | - |
  | | Independent | Ms A Melina | Unopposed | NA | |
  | | Independent | W Jaye | Unopposed | NA | |
  
  ### Biggleswade Ivel
  
  Biggleswade Ivel (3 seats, 3,931 registered voters) :
  
  | Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
  | - | - | - | - | - | - |
  | | Conservative | Ms F Killeen* | 1,623 | 51.4 | +18.8 |
  | | Labour | L Chambers* | 1,580 | 50.0 | +18.7 |
  | | Ind. Conservative | Patricia Rouse* | 1,548 | 49.0 | +19.3 |
  | | Ind. Conservative | Ms M Armstrong | 1,331 | 42.2 | +17.5 |
  | | Labour | Alistair Costley | 1,077 | 34.1 | +17.0 |
  | | Labour | R McIlroy | 857 | 27.1 | |
  | Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 3,157 | 80.3 | -1.2 |
  
  ### Biggleswade Stratton
  
  Biggleswade Stratton (3 seats, 4,038 registered voters) :
  
  | Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
  | - | - | - | - | - | - |
  | | Independent | Ms C Cook* | 1,951 | 58.7 | +22.7 |
  | | Conservative | Richard Bennett* | 1,743 | 52.4 | +25.3 |
  | | Labour | Victor Brunt* | 1,448 | 43.6 | +17.1 |
  | | Conservative | J Dominey | 1,090 | 32.8 | |
  | | Labour | T Bornett | 992 | 29.8 | |
  | | Labour | P Milton | 979 | 29.5 | |
  | Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 3,324 | 82.3 | +0.8 |
  
  ### Blunham
  
  Blunham (1 seat, 1,531 registered voters) :
  
  | Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
  | - | - | - | - | - | - |
  | | Conservative | Ms E Woods* | Unopposed | NA | |
  
  ### Campton & Meppershall
  
  Campton & Meppershall (1 seat, 1,309 registered voters) :
  
  | Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
  | - | - | - | - | - | - |
  | | Conservative | J Buxton* | Unopposed | NA | |
  
  ### Clifton & Henlow
  
  Clifton & Henlow (3 seats, 3,599 registered voters) :
  
  | Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
  | - | - | - | - | - | - |
  | | Conservative | Geoffrey Rogers* | 1,556 | 57.4 | +21.5 |
  | | Conservative | F Burrows* | 1,495 | 55.1 | +13.1 |
  | | Independent | William Cliff* | 1,464 | 54.0 | +32.4 |
  | | Conservative | Patricia Cook | 1,314 | 48.4 | +13.0 |
  | Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 2,713 | 75.4 | |
  
  ### Clophill
  
  Clophill (1 seat, 1,207 registered voters) :
  
  | Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
  | - | - | - | - | - | - |
  | | Conservative | W Russell* | Unopposed | NA | |
  
  ### Cranfield
  
  Cranfield (3 seats, 3,100 registered voters) :
  
  | Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
  | - | - | - | - | - |
  | | Conservative | J Hawksby | 1,321 | 55.3 |
  | | Independent | J Salisbury* | 1,312 | 55.0 |
  | | Conservative | R Palmer | 1,167 | 48.9 |
  | | Conservative | J Sullivan | 726 | 30.4 |
  | Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 2,387 | 77.0 |
  
  ### Flitton, Greenfield & Pulloxhill
  
  Flitton, Greenfield & Pulloxhill (1 seat, 1,297 registered voters) :
  
  | Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
  | - | - | - | - | - | - |
  | | Conservative | Ms J Eells* | Unopposed | NA | |
  
  ### Flitwick East
  
  Flitwick East (2 seats, 3,169 registered voters) :
  
  | Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
  | - | - | - | - | - | - |
  | | Conservative | Malcolm Randall* | 1,488 | 59.0 | -6.3 |
  | | Conservative | Jack Cowell | 1,345 | 53.3 | |
  | | Labour | Ms F Rolls | 933 | 37.0 | +2.3 |
  | Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 2,522 | 79.6 | |
  
  ### Flitwick West
  
  Flitwick West (2 seats, 1,989 registered voters) :
  
  | Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
  | - | - | - | - | - | - |
  | | Conservative | A Saxby | Unopposed | NA | |
  | | Conservative | Dennis Gale* | Unopposed | NA | |
  
  ### Harlington
  
  Harlington (1 seat, 1,770 registered voters) :
  
  | Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
  | - | - | - | - | - |
  | | Conservative | A Giles* | 775 | 52.3 |
  | | Independent | E Preston | 344 | 23.2 |
  | | Independent | J McFadden | 198 | 13.4 |
  | | Labour | L Ragless | 127 | 8.6 |
  | Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,481 | 83.7 |
  
  ### Haynes & Houghton Conquest
  
  Haynes & Houghton Conquest (1 seat, 1,665 registered voters) :
  
  | Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
  | - | - | - | - | - | - |
  | | Independent | H Craddock* | Unopposed | NA | |
  
  ### Langford
  
  Langford (1 seat, 1,912 registered voters) :
  
  | Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
  | - | - | - | - | - | - |
  | | Conservative | G Gates* | 915 | 56.7 | +18.0 |
  | | Labour | A Loney | 677 | 42.0 | +20.8 |
  | Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,613 | 84.4 | |
  
  ### Marston
  
  Marston (2 seats, 3,149 registered voters) :
  
  | Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
  | - | - | - | - | - | - |
  | | Conservative | Ms C Barnes* | 1,188 | 48.1 | -13.7 |
  | | Labour | D Towell | 1,176 | 47.6 | |
  | | Conservative | Fiona Chapman* | 927 | 37.5 | -19.5 |
  | | Labour | Ms R Martin | 757 | 30.7 | |
  | Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 2,469 | 78.4 | |
  
  ### Maulden
  
  Maulden (1 seat, 1,875 registered voters) :
  
  | Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
  | - | - | - | - | - | - |
  | | Independent | Ms I Robinson* | 914 | 60.3 | -26.9 |
  | | Ind. Conservative | Howard Lockey | 538 | 35.5 | |
  | Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,517 | 80.9 | +34.5 |
  
  ### Northill
  
  Northill (1 seat, 1,521 registered voters) :
  
  | Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
  | - | - | - | - | - | - |
  | | Conservative | Patricia Turner* | Unopposed | NA | |
  
  ### Old Warden & Southill
  
  Old Warden & Southill (1 seat, 1,168 registered voters) :
  
  | Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
  | - | - | - | - | - | - |
  | | Independent | Ms M Hamer-Harries | 439 | 51.8 | +15.8 |
  | | Conservative | Ms S Pool | 400 | 47.2 | |
  | Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 848 | 72.6 | +22.6 |
  
  ### Potton
  
  Potton (2 seats, 2,901 registered voters) :
  
  | Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
  | - | - | - | - | - | - |
  | | Conservative | J Ream* | Unopposed | NA | |
  | | Independent | F Jakes* | Unopposed | NA | |
  
  ### Sandy All Saints
  
  Sandy All Saints (2 seats, 2,527 registered voters) :
  
  | Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
  | - | - | - | - | - | - |
  | | Conservative | Alistair Gammell* | 1,262 | 63.4 | +25.8 |
  | | Conservative | A Sherwood-King* | 1,203 | 60.4 | +18.5 |
  | | Labour | I Kirkwood | 562 | 28.2 | |
  | | Labour | Ms J Monahan | 521 | 26.2 | +12.8 |
  | Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,991 | 78.8 | +11.2 |
  
  ### Sandy St Swithuns
  
  Sandy St Swithuns (3 seats, 2,828 registered voters) :
  
  | Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
  | - | - | - | - | - | - |
  | | Independent | K Quince* | 1,115 | 50.9 | +10.0 |
  | | Conservative | N Davidson | 928 | 42.4 | |
  | | Independent | E Smith | 864 | 39.5 | |
  | | Labour | L Cameron | 813 | 37.1 | |
  | | Labour | P Monahan | 710 | 32.4 | +15.3 |
  | | Labour | W Hibbert | 591 | 27.0 | +23.9 |
  | Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 2,189 | 77.4 | +9.8 |
  
  ### Shefford
  
  Shefford (2 seats, 2,108 registered voters) :
  
  | Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
  | - | - | - | - | - | - |
  | | Conservative | Ms A Gouldsbrough | 770 | 45.3 | |
  | | Independent | A Smyth | 723 | 42.6 | |
  | | Conservative | D Cadman | 677 | 39.8 | +3.2 |
  | | Independent | Ms M Faircloth | 497 | 29.3 | +16.2 |
  | | Labour | Ms G Emmerson | 212 | 12.5 | +2.6 |
  | | Labour | Ms R McIlroy | 196 | 11.5 | |
  | Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,699 | 80.6 | |
  
  ### Shillington & Stondon
  
  Shillington & Stondon (2 seats, 2,588 registered voters) :
  
  | Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
  | - | - | - | - | - |
  | | Independent | R Roe* | 1,120 | 54.3 |
  | | Independent | S Burr | 820 | 39.7 |
  | | Conservative | D Simkins | 714 | 34.6 |
  | | Conservative | P Parrish | 691 | 33.5 |
  | Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 2,063 | 79.7 |
  
  ### Stotfold
  
  Stotfold (3 seats, 4,467 registered voters) :
  
  | Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
  | - | - | - | - | - | - |
  | | Conservative | J Long* | 1,958 | 60.5 | +26.3 |
  | | Labour | H Wood | 1,683 | 52.0 | +20.8 |
  | | Independent | F Hyde* | 1,600 | 49.4 | +14.6 |
  | | Independent | R Watkins | 1,493 | 46.1 | +15.8 |
  | Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 3,239 | 72.5 | +19.1 |
  
  ### Wensley
  
  Wensley (1 seat, 1,217 registered voters) :
  
  | Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
  | - | - | - | - | - | - |
  | | Conservative | W Goodyer* | 519 | 51.1 | -5.4 |
  | | Liberal | C Riches | 490 | 48.2 | |
  | Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,016 | 83.5 | |
  
  ### Westoning
  
  Westoning (1 seat, 1,188 registered voters) :
  
  | Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
  | - | - | - | - | - | - |
  | | Conservative | Jean Kent* | Unopposed | NA | |
  
  ### Woburn
  
  Woburn (1 seat, 1,180 registered voters) :
  
  | Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
  | - | - | - | - | - | - |
  | | Conservative | D Woodward* | 562 | 58.5 | +18.2 |
  | | Independent | J Ellis | 383 | 39.9 | +11.7 |
  | Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 961 | 81.4 | +19.6 |
  
  ### Wrest
  
  Wrest (1 seat, 1,418 registered voters) :
  
  | Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
  | - | - | - | - | - | - |
  | | Independent | G Wood* | Unopposed | NA | |
  