Police and crime commissioner to run for mayor

The current police and crime commissioner (PCC) for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight has said she intends to run for mayor in 2026.

Hampshire and the Solent region is part of the devolution fast-track initiative, which will likely see the creation of a new strategic combined authority with a mayor in charge.

The current roles and functions of the PCC are likely to be swallowed up by the mayor's office.

Conservative Donna Jones said she wanted community safety to be a "central pillar" of the new mayoral combined authority.

Candidates need to be chosen by their party or stand as independents before they can officially declare.

It is not clear when this process will take place.

In a statement, Ms Jones said she cared "deeply" about the two counties and "embedding public safety within the broader scope of regional governance is key".

She was the leader of Portsmouth City Council for four years until 2018.

Ms Jones was first elected as the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Police and Crime Commissioner in 2021 and then was re-elected in 2024.

No-one else has publicly declared their wish to stand for the role as yet.

The government launched a public consultation on devolution and the idea of a strategic combined authority on 17 February.

It runs until 13 April.

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