Fresh calls have been made to bring forward the first Hampshire and Isle of Wight mayoral election, with politicians warning the region risks missing out on new powers and funding while other areas press ahead.
The criticism comes after Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced that elected mayors in England will receive a share of income tax revenue from 2028, while strategic authorities will also be able to retain a proportion of business rates collected in their areas from next spring.
The Hampshire and Solent Combined County Authority (HSCCA) held its first board meeting last month, but the region is not due to elect its first mayor until May 2028 after ministers postponed this year’s planned election in December 2025.
Conservative mayoral candidate and Hampshire and Isle of Wight Police and Crime Commissioner Donna Jones said Sir Keir Starmer’s failures and Mr Burnham’s “apparent indifference” to the south of England continued to hold Hampshire back.
She accused the Government of prioritising the north of England, saying:
“If he genuinely believed in levelling up every region of Britain, he would bring forward mayoral elections to next year, rather than leaving the south waiting while the north takes priority.”
Labour’s mayoral candidate Lorna Fielker welcomed the Government’s plans, saying devolving more powers would allow decisions on transport, housing, skills and economic growth to be made closer to local communities.
She said retaining more locally generated wealth would help strengthen the regional economy and invest in priorities that matter to residents.
Reform UK’s candidate George Madgwick said any additional funding retained in Hampshire should come with stronger accountability and focus on delivering improved public services and economic growth.
Liberal Democrat candidate Martin Tod also welcomed the prospect of greater powers but described the delayed election as “a big disappointment”.
He said Hampshire and the Isle of Wight were “losing out” on funding and opportunities because of the postponement.
Green Party candidate Anna Collar said the additional financial powers could provide greater certainty but warned against creating a “two-tier” system of devolution, calling for investment to reflect local needs across the region.
The future elected mayor will oversee devolved responsibilities including transport, housing, strategic planning and skills.
HSCCA Chairman Councillor Nick Adams-King has also called for the election to be brought forward, arguing that if the new powers and funding arrangements begin taking effect next year, the region should have a directly elected mayor “at the earliest opportunity”.
He confirmed he raised the issue with ministers Louise Haigh and Angela Rayner during a call late laste week.
The Government has yet to confirm what proportion of income tax revenue mayoral authorities will receive, with further details expected to be announced in the Chancellor’s Budget on 28th October.
