Hampshire and Solent part of devolution initiative

Hampshire and the Solent region will be part of the devolution fast-track initiative, the government has announced.

The decision to fast-track the application will establish a new Strategic Mayoral Authority for Southampton, Portsmouth, Hampshire, and the Isle of Wight, with elections for the new mayor now likely to be held in May 2026.

The decision means the upcoming county council election has been cancelled, something Eastleigh MP Liz Jarvis said was a "disgraceful stitch up".

But the leaders of Southampton City, Hampshire County, Portsmouth City and Isle of Wight councils welcomed the move.

Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner announced six new potential devolution areas, one of which was Hampshire and Solent, on Wednesday.

"These places will get a fast-track ticket to drive real change in their area," Rayner told the House of Commons.

Jarvis, the Liberal Democrat MP for Eastleigh, said the postponement of elections would deny voters the chance to remove the Conservatives from power.

"Liberal Democrats oppose this decision and will continue to fight for voters in Hampshire to be heard," she said.

But Portsmouth South's Labour MP Stephen Morgan called it a "momentous day for our city".

"We now have the opportunity to bring investment to our communities, create much-needed jobs, and deliver prosperity to Portsmouth," he said.

The councils involved all welcomed the news.

Southampton City Council leader Lorna Fielker said being accepted on the fast-track program was a "major step forward".

"Devolving powers from Westminster to a regional mayor will mean decisions about our transport network, major infrastructure investment, employment support programmes and more will be made locally," she said.

Hampshire County Council leader Nick Adams-King said it was a "fantastic opportunity", adding the fact Hampshire and Solent had been chosen showed the government recognised the area's "substantial devolution opportunities".

The leader of Portsmouth City Council Steve Pitt said he had ideally wanted a deal for the Solent area without an elected mayor, but the news was still a good opportunity.

"We now focus on what we can do to make a positive impact for our area, and one benefit a Mayor would bring is a seat for our region at the government's new Council of Nations and Regions," he said.

Phil Jordan, leader of the Isle of Wight Council, said devolution would shift policy-making powers and additional funding to local authorities.

"This change is expected to provide greater local control over vital areas such as major transport infrastructure, and health services, giving residents more power to shape the things that are important to them and ensuring robust local accountability," he said.

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