Hampshire mayoral election delayed until 2028, candidate condemns decision

Summarised from 5 outlets · Updated 30 Oct, 17:18 · Archive

The first Hampshire and the Solent mayoral election will take place in May 2028 after the government rejected a cross-party request to hold it a year earlier.

The government has rejected a request from cross-party leaders of the Hampshire and the Solent Combined County Authority to bring forward the region's first mayoral election from May 2028 to May 2027.

The inaugural mayoral election was originally scheduled for May 2026 but was postponed for two years amid plans to reorganise Hampshire's councils. Those reorganisation plans were subsequently put on hold, prompting the cross-party request to advance the election by a year.

Conservative mayoral candidate Donna Jones, who serves as Hampshire and Isle of Wight police and crime commissioner, responded strongly to the decision. She accused the Labour government of treating Hampshire and the Isle of Wight as 'second-class citizens' because of where they live or how they vote.

Jones alleged the government was prioritising the north of England over the south. She branded the decision an 'absolute disgrace' and warned of significant consequences for the region.

Jones said the delay represented missed opportunities for investment. She stated: 'We are losing valuable investment opportunities, being denied the strong regional leadership we desperately need, and watching other parts of the country move ahead while Hampshire and the Isle of Wight are left behind.'

She emphasised the ongoing cost of the postponement, saying: 'Every month of delay is another month of missed opportunity for investment in our roads, railways, housing, infrastructure, skills and jobs.'

The delay means Hampshire and the Isle of Wight will not hold their first mayoral election until May 2028, over two years later than originally planned.

How it is being reported

• Conservative mayoral candidate slams government over delayed Hampshire electionDonna Jones has accused the government of holding back the regionThe News, Portsmouth · 30 Oct, 16:56
• PCC Donna Jones says it is a ‘disgrace’ as Hampshire mayoral election is delayedDonna Jones condemns Labour after Hampshire and Isle of Wight mayoral election remains in 2028, warning the region faces missing investment.Romsey Advertiser · 30 Oct, 16:05
• PCC Donna Jones says it is a ‘disgrace’ as Hampshire mayoral election is delayedDonna Jones condemns Labour after Hampshire and Isle of Wight mayoral election remains in 2028, warning the region faces missing investment.Andover Advertiser · 30 Oct, 16:05
• PCC Donna Jones says it is a ‘disgrace’ as Hampshire mayoral election is delayedDonna Jones condemns Labour after Hampshire and Isle of Wight mayoral election remains in 2028, warning the region faces missing investment.Basingstoke Gazette · 30 Oct, 16:05
• ‘We’re being treated as second-class citizens’ says candidate over election decisionDonna Jones condemns Labour after Hampshire and Isle of Wight mayoral election remains in 2028, warning the region faces missing investment.Southern Daily Echo · 30 Oct, 15:44

In this story: Donna Jones · Labour · Hampshire and the Solent Combined County Authority · Hampshire · Isle of Wight

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log