Portsmouth councillor George Madgwick set to stand in county elections
A Portsmouth councillor has announced he is standing in the Hampshire County Council elections next month
Reform UK councillor George Madgwick, who serves in Portsmouth, has announced he will stand in the Hampshire County Council elections this May.
Cllr Madgwick currently represents Paulsgrove on Portsmouth City Council and has been in the role since 2021.
His decision to stand comes as local government reorganisation (LGR) plans continue to progress across Hampshire.
Under LGR Portsmouth, Fareham, Gosport and Havant could be brought together into a new larger authority under proposals being developed.
Announcing his candidacy, Cllr Madgwick said: “With local government reorganisation being forced upon us by Labour, we are about to see the break up of our existing councils and the creation of new, larger authorities.
“Right now, residents and councillors alike are being given mixed messages, with conflicting information coming from Portsmouth and Hampshire.
“I am standing for Hampshire County Council because I want to get inside the room, find out first hand exactly what is going on, and fight to fix problems before our county is carved up.
“North East Havant sits at the heart of this debate. Under the current plans, this area will be drawn into the new larger authority alongside Portsmouth. That means the decisions being made now will shape the future of both communities for years to come.
“I will fight for North East Havant and for Portsmouth, and I will work tirelessly to make sure our communities are not ignored, sidelined or short changed. The people who live here deserve honesty, strong representation, and councillors prepared to stand up and ask difficult questions.
“As these plans move forward, local people need representatives who will challenge vague answers, demand clarity and put residents first.”
Election notices published by Havant Borough Council confirm that North East Havant is among the divisions voting on 7 May 2026.
The announcement follows news that fellow Reform UK councillor Emily Strudwick, who represents Hilsea, is standing in the Leesland and Town division of Hampshire County Council in Gosport.
Cllr Strudwick’s term on the city council ends in May next year, with Cllr Madgwick’s ending in May 2028.