Hampshire and Isle of Wight 'treated as second-class citizens' over mayoral election date, says Conservative candidate
Ministers rejected a cross-party request to bring the vote forward to May 2027
A Conservative mayoral candidate has accused the Labour government of treating Hampshire and the Isle of Wight as "second-class citizens" after it refused to bring forward the region's first mayoral election.
The first Hampshire and the Solent mayor will be elected in May 2028, after ministers rejected a cross-party request to hold the vote a year earlier.
Donna Jones, the Hampshire and Isle of Wight police and crime commissioner, branded the decision an "absolute disgrace".
She also accused the government of prioritising the north of England over the south.
Ms Jones said: "The people of Hampshire and the Solent should not be treated as second-class citizens simply because of where they live or how they vote.
"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 called on ministers to urgently reconsider the decision.
Ms Jones said: "We deserve fair investment, genuine devolution and a mayor who can fight for our region on the national stage."
Why the vote was delayed
The inaugural election was originally expected in May 2026.
It was postponed for two years amid plans to reorganise Hampshire's councils.
Those plans were subsequently put on hold.
That prompted cross-party leaders of the Hampshire and the Solent Combined County Authority to ask ministers to hold the mayoral election in May 2027 instead.
Funding and powers
The combined authority is already operating.
Until a mayor takes office, however, the region is receiving only 40 per cent of its £44.6 million annual investment fund, equivalent to about £17.8 million a year.
The mayor will oversee areas including transport, skills, housing and economic growth.
Ms Jones said: "Every month of delay is another month of missed opportunity for investment in our roads, railways, housing, infrastructure, skills and jobs.
"It is businesses, families and young people across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight who will ultimately pay the price."
Reaction from other parties
Other parties criticised the timetable earlier this week.
Liberal Democrat candidate Martin Tod called the decision a "big disappointment".
Reform UK group leader George Madgwick described it as "short-sighted".
Labour candidate Lorna Fielker had supported an earlier election.
She said the additional time would allow the authority to build a stronger operational base.