Calls made for on Government to bring forward Mayoral elections

Although local elections across Hampshire were always going ahead, others had originally been postponed at the request of local councils as a result of the huge shake-up to local government as a result of Local Government Reorganisation. However the elections for the new regional mayor are not set to take place this year - prompting calls they they should be.

The Liberal Democrat candidate for Mayor of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight has called on the Government to urgently bring forward the proposed Mayoral elections, warning that communities face unnecessary disruption and confusion.

Martin Tod said the Government’s handling of local government reorganisation and devolution has been marked by indecision and U-turns, undermining public confidence and delaying progress on vital local priorities.

“What a mess. The Government’s handling of local government reorganisation and devolution is in complete chaos. The proposed cancellation of the elections was a total disgrace. And I fear they’re not done yet.

But they still have a chance to undo one of their earlier bad decisions. Now that they’ve uncancelled this year’s council elections, Labour needs to do the same for the Mayoral elections.

I and my Liberal Democrat colleagues want to get things moving – improving our environment, delivering growth, jobs and investment, getting more affordable homes, tackling the challenges of our health system, and fixing our transport.

We’re making a real difference in local government. We want to do more with the new Mayors. Put the Mayoral elections back on and we can get cracking from May.”

Tod, who is Leader of Winchester Council, stressed that delaying the Mayoral elections would only prolong uncertainty for residents, councils and businesses, while concentrating power in Whitehall rather than empowering local communities. The Liberal Democrats argue that holding the Mayoral elections this May would provide clear democratic legitimacy and allow new Mayors to start delivering for residents without further delay.

Mayoral Candidate and current Police and Crime Commissioner for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight Donna Jones has also said she sees no reason to delay.

She said: “Together with the Hampshire Conservatives, we campaigned for no delays to local elections, and I’m proud that despite immense pressure from the Government to delay, every single local authority across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight refused the Labour Government’s offer of a delay to critical local elections. I want to especially thank the thousands of local residents in Hampshire that signed my petition to defend democracy in our county.

"Today, we learn that the Government have had to u-turn again, allowing local elections to go ahead across the country. This is an open admission that Labour only delayed the elections because they were scared to face the public.

"But this U-turn is still only half-baked. The government must now go further and reinstate the Mayoral elections, also due to be held in May. If they don’t they are openly depriving the British people of a local voice, local investment and upgrades to local public services, all to avoid an embarrassment at the ballot box."