Festus Akinbusoye facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Festus Akinbusoye
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| Bedfordshire Police and Crime Commissioner | |
| In office 13 May 2021 – 8 May 2024 |
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| Preceded by | Kathryn Holloway |
| Succeeded by | John Tizard |
| Personal details | |
| Born | June 1978 (age 47) Lagos, Nigeria |
| Political party | Conservative |
| Education | City of Westminster College University of the Arts London (BSc) University of London (MSc) |
Festus Kehinde Akinbusoye was the Bedfordshire Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) from 2021 to 2024. A PCC is an elected official who helps make sure the police force in their area is doing a good job. They work to keep communities safe.
Festus Akinbusoye is a member of the Conservative Party. He made history as the first black Briton to become a police and crime commissioner.
In 2023, he ran in a special election called a by-election for a Member of Parliament (MP) in Mid Bedfordshire. He came in second place. The next year, he tried to be re-elected as the PCC but was not successful.
Early Life and School
Festus Akinbusoye was born in Lagos, Nigeria, in June 1978. When he was 13, he moved to the United Kingdom with his parents and twin sister in 1991. His family settled in Canning Town, which is in East London.
He went to St Paul's Way School and then the City of Westminster College. Later, he studied at the London College of Printing and Distributive Trades. He also earned a master's degree from the School of Oriental and African Studies at the University of London.
While at university, Festus played basketball. He even played professionally in a league called the Budweiser British Basketball League. He also collects Air Jordan basketball trainers, and he has about 40 pairs!
His Political Journey
Before becoming a PCC, Festus Akinbusoye worked for several Conservative Members of Parliament (MPs). These included Mark Lancaster, Iain Stewart, and Ben Everitt.
In 2015, he ran as a Conservative candidate for MP in the West Ham area. This area is usually won by the Labour Party, so it's known as a "safe seat" for them. He came in second place in that election.
During the 2016 vote on whether the UK should stay in or leave the European Union, Festus supported staying. He encouraged other black Britons to vote to remain in the European Union. From 2018 to 2021, he was the chairman of the Milton Keynes Conservatives.
Elections for MP and PCC
In 2023, a special election was held in Mid Bedfordshire. This is called a by-election, and it happens when an MP leaves their job before the next general election. Festus Akinbusoye was chosen by the Conservative Party to be their candidate. He lost this election to the Labour candidate, Alistair Strathern.
In January, Festus announced that he would not try to become an MP again. Instead, he wanted to be re-elected as the Police and Crime Commissioner for Bedfordshire. However, he was not successful in the 2024 election, losing to the Labour candidate John Tizard.
Life Outside Politics
Festus Akinbusoye lives in the Mid Bedfordshire area. He is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He also runs his own business that provides security services.
