“Not Our Decision” — Isle Of Wight and Hampshire Leaders Challenge Mayoral Election Delay

It is ‘regrettable’ that the Hampshire and Solent mayoral election is set to be delayed, Isle of Wight Council leader Phil Jordan and three other local authority chiefs have said.

In a statement today (December 5), councillors leading Hampshire County Council, the Isle of Wight Council, Portsmouth City Council and Southampton City Council emphasised the postponement was not of their making.

Steve Reed, secretary of state for housing, communities and local government, yesterday (December 4) updated the House of Commons on devolution.

He said the government was minded to hold the first mayoral polls for Sussex and Brighton, Hampshire and the Solent, Norfolk and Suffolk, and Greater Essex in May 2028 rather than next May, as previously planned.

These areas would complete the local government reorganisation (LGR) process before the mayors take up their roles, he said.

LGR forms part of Whitehall’s reform programme for English local government which would see new unitary authorities replacing the two-tier system of county and district councils.

Mr Reed said:

“Devolution is strongest when it is built on strong foundations, therefore moving forward we will ensure strong unitary structures are in place before areas take on mayoral devolution.”

The statement from the council leaders said:

“We would like to clarify that the decision to propose a delay to the mayoral elections has been made solely by the government.

“None of the Upper Tier Local Authorities which includes Hampshire County Council, Southampton City Council, Portsmouth City Council and Isle of Wight Council, requested a postponement of the May 2026 mayoral elections.

“We are seeking further information regarding the implications of this government decision.

“Although it is regrettable that the mayoral election will be postponed – particularly for those who have already put themselves forward – our primary priority remains the progression of devolution.

“This process promises greater local decision-making authority, increased investment, and stronger representation for our region.”

They added that it is ‘essential’ that Hampshire and the Solent’s regional perspective is represented at national level, given its size and significance.