Politicians back calls for mayoral election in 2027

There are growing calls for the mayoral election for Hampshire and the Solent to be brought forward to 2027.

Darren Paffey, the Labour MP for Southampton Itchen said he had written to Prime Minister Andy Burnham saying it was necessary for the area "to receive the funding that this government has promised".

The call has also been made by some Conservatives, Liberal Democrat and Reform politicians in the area.

The Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government said in a statement it was "keeping the suggestion under consideration".

Donna Jones, the Conservative Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight said she was hopeful for an announcement that the election would take place in 2027 at the Labour party conference or in the autumn budget statement.

Jones said having a mayor would bring more than £500m to the area but we "need it now".

The election was originally due to take place in May 2026 but was postponed for two years to allow local government reorganisation.

But earlier this month, plans for reorganisation in Hampshire were withdrawn.

Paffey said he was backing the request from Labour's mayoral candidate Lorna Fielker because devolution was key to restoring trust in our politics.

"Government need to do that as soon as possible," he said.

Danny Chambers, the Liberal Democrat MP for Winchester and Chandlers Ford, said: "What you don't want to be is the only area without a mayor, it's detrimental to be left behind, so absolutely elections are needed as soon as possible."

The Liberal Democrat candidate is the current leader of Winchester City Council, Martin Tod.

The head of the Reform UK group on Hampshire County Council, George Madgwick had also called for the election to be earlier: "It will save millions in taxpayer money to fund the election and mean the region gets more powers and investment."

The party has not selected its new candidate after suspending Rear Admiral Chris Parry for posts on X in March.

Anna Collar, the mayoral candidate for the Green Party, has also been approached for comment.

But not every politician is supportive of a Hampshire and the Solent mayor.

Alex Brewer, the Liberal Democrat MP for North East Hampshire, fears issues her constituents face accessing services over a county border will remain.

"I've tried to get a bus to serve the short distance between Fleet and Frimley Park hospital," she said

"But Hampshire County Council won't subsidise it because half of the route is in Surrey - and Surrey county council won't subsidise it because half of the route is in Hampshire."

She added giving combined authorities more powers would strengthen the boundaries between areas in the north of the county and said she was "in no rush" to see a mayor.

In a statement, a Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government spokesperson said: "We are always willing to speak to areas in the devolution priority programme who wish to progress devolution sooner and we will keep this suggestion under consideration."