Following this week’s news about the possible delay to the Hampshire and Solent mayoral election, and possibly Local Elections too, Isle of Wight political leaders have spoken out.
The Conservatives, Reform UK, Liberal Democrats, Empowering Islanders and UNISON issued statements after it was revealed that 4 areas due to elect newly empowered mayors in May may not vote on them until May 2028.
Steve Reed, Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, last week 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 2 years later than 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.
Joe Robertson, the Conservative MP for Isle of Wight East, said:
“The government is threatening to cancel our Isle of Wight Council elections again. Elections should have taken place this year but may be delayed until 2028 which is an insult to Islanders.
“I asked the Minister (Miatta Fahnbulleh MP) to confirm that she will not cancel our council elections next May because her plans for a Mayor and local government reorganisation are not complete. She did not give that confirmation.”
Councillor Andrew Garratt, leader of the Liberal Democrat group at County Hall, said:
“Fully unlocking the benefits of devolution depends on having a democratically elected mayor, so this delay is immensely disappointing.
“It feels like central government didn’t properly think through what it was demanding of local councils both for devolution and LGR.
“It must get a grip. Councils can’t be left to lurch repeatedly from one government rethink to another.”
Councillor Chris Jarman, the Empowering Islanders’ group leader, called for collective action to secure the Isle of Wight’s local council elections next year.
He said:
“In a move to prevent expected seismic change of local councils in 2026, it appears the Labour government are poised to cancel Isle of Wight 2026 local elections.
“This follows the outcry following their cancellation of our local 2025 elections.”
Councillor Bill Nigh, leader of the Reform UK group, said:
“The devolution plan was supposed to bring power closer to local residents and away from Westminster.
“Labour seem determined to undermine the idea that the people can have a greater say in the decisions that impact them. I am concerned that the next step will be cancelling the council elections next May.
“We are travelling down a very slippery and dangerous path.”
Maggi Ferncombe, UNISON South East regional secretary, has added:
“The delay will no doubt be disappointing for many people. But it gives an opportunity to get LGR and devolution right, so residents receive the services they need. That has to be a good thing.
“But reorganisation mustn’t become a distraction from the real challenges facing councils. They include chronic underfunding, rising demand and the mounting pressure on dedicated staff who keep these services running.”
Alliance group and County Hall leader Phil Jordan and Labour MP for Isle of Wight West Richard Quigley have been approached for comment.
Waste of time asking Squiggley for a “comment”. He will just toe the “Party” line. Look at what happened to Mark Campbell-Savours. Slung out of the “Party” because he voted against the punishment of our farmers by this scummy government.
Mind you, if Boris Piffle Johnson had done his job properly, the UK would not now be under the control of these mindless idiots, Starmer and The Chess Chump.
Well said.
3 more years of suffering under this shambles of a
Government.
Whatever happed to the “vote of NO confidence”
well overdue
They haven’t imported enough ‘New Europeans’ to skew the vote permanently in their favour yet is the answer
How long will it be before this current Government
takes Britain back into Europe!!
Proof democracy no longer exists in this country.
Amen
I repeat.
If all the councillors were to step down just before May, it would force a huge by-election, effectively an election, doing the right thing for democracy. Let’s see what happens.
Should not be allowed to be stopped in law we know why because liebour are wankers/finished.