Governance thumb|left|Old Town Hall, Bedford The contiguous Bedford built-up area forms the largest settlement in the wider Borough of Bedford. The borough council is led by a directly elected mayor who holds the title 'Mayor of Bedford', an office which was first held by Frank Branston, until his death in 2009. The current mayor of Bedford is Tom Wootton from the Conservative Party.
Governance thumb|left|Old Town Hall, Bedford The contiguous Bedford built-up area forms the largest settlement in the wider Borough of Bedford. The borough council is. led by a directly elected mayor who holds the title 'Mayor of Bedford', an office which was first held by Frank Branston, until his death in 2009 The current mayor of Bedford is Tom Wootton from the Conservative Party.