Bracknell Tories and Labour face off in by-election clash

The by-election was triggered by the resignation of Councillor Malcolm Tullett, who left the Conservative party on the Bracknell Forest Council stating that he felt unable to ‘properly represent his residents’ in the summer.

Now, two council veterans are jockeying to take his place on the borough council.

Former councillor Ian McCracken has come out of retirement to defend the seat for the Conservatives, while Labour grandee Cllr Paul Bidwell seeks to snatch the seat from the grasp of the Tories.

READ MORE: Councillor says he can do more for residents outside council after resigning his seat

Mr McCracken was a councillor for Old Bracknell from 2011-2019, and previously served as the executive member for culture, corporate services and public protection, where he oversaw upgrades to Bracknell Leisure Centre and Coral Reef Waterworld.

Announcing his candidacy, Mr McCracken said: “In 2011, I stood for election for both the Borough and Town Council in the previously held Labour ward of Old Bracknell, a ward I continued to serve until I stood down in 2019 due to personal reasons. Two years have passed, and my retirement is over! 

“So why I am standing again – in short, I want to return to serving my residents, I have been truly humbled by the response on the doorstep this week from residents who were all delighted to hear that I want to serve them again.

“My knowledge of the ward has not diminished, and I am all too aware of the challenges and the things that matter most to residents.”

Ian McCracken, Conservative candidate for the Bracknell Forest Council Old Bracknell by election. Credit: Bracknell Forest Council

Mr McCracken pledged to ‘knock on every door’ in the ward with fellow Conservative campaigners, and said he looked forward to meeting familiar faces and new residents.

He added: “I believe my 27 years has given me a Borough-wide knowledge of the issues and concerns and, during my eight years as Old Bracknell’s representative, delivery of efficient, cost-effective value-for-money services that meet the needs of those who live, work, and play not only in Old Bracknell but right across the Borough.

“It would be ideal to be able to reform a proven and successful partnership.”

You can read Mr McCracken’s announcement in full here.

Paul Bidwell is a veteran Labour politician in Bracknell. Currently serving on the Town Council as a representative for Priestwood, he was also the Labour candidate in the general elections in 2017 and 2019.

READ MORE: Bracknell Labour slams Tory infighting for 'politicising council'

Announcing his candidacy, Cllr Bidwell said: “To all the constituents of the Bracknell Forest Borough Ward of Old Bracknell. I am delighted to have been selected as the Labour Candidate for the upcoming December 9th by-election.

“Canvassing over the last few days has been great, there are a lot of issues but people have been grateful for the contact. Living in the next ward, Harmans Water, there are similar concerns and I look forward to speaking with as many of you as possible over the coming weeks.

“I will continue to focus on Housing, Anti Social Behaviour and the Elderly and most importantly, being transparent and approachable. Talking to residents there don’t seem to have had much interaction with their previous representative, whereas I will be a regular face within their community and I will be reaching out to as many community groups as possible on regular basis.

Paul Bidwell, Labour candidate for the Old Bracknell by-election for Bracknell Forest Council and Bracknell Town Councillor for Priestwood. Credit: Paul Bidwell

“The most important areas for me is making sure the community have access to me, they don’t seem to have seen much of their borough councillors, I’m going to change that.

“I will continue to push for better affordable housing in the Borough as the consequences for Old Bracknell is often overcrowding and issues with Parking caused by young adults unable afford to move to suitable accommodation.

“I’m also a keen advocate for the elderly as a chair of Age Concern, so focusing on adult social care is important, as well as anti-social behaviour.”

READ MORE: Bracknell Labour slams 'absurd' political drama in Conservative party

The by-election will be held on Thursday, December 9. You can see a ward map of Old Bracknell in the gallery above.

The Bracknell Liberal Democrats do not have any candidate announcements to make at this time.

Although he resigned his seat on  Bracknell Forest Council, Mr Tullett remains a Conservative councillor for the Old Bracknell ward on Bracknell Town Council, where he serves as the chairman of the environmental services committee.