Good news, but Hampshire & the Isle of Wight need more

The Prime Minister's announcement today about extra powers and improved funding for Mayors is good news - but Hampshire and the Isle of Wight need more.

Lib Dems have always believed in keeping things local, and if we have a Mayor who’s prepared to listen and use these new powers to meet the different needs of the different parts of our region, then today’s plans can make a real difference. We can be an even stronger powerhouse for the national economy and these powers can help that.

A big disappointment is that the Prime Minister hasn’t said anything about the timing of our Mayoral election which seems still to be delayed until 2028. Hampshire and the Isle of Wight are losing out in terms of the money we get and what we can do because of that delay.

It’s also great that buses and trains will be under more local control, but I'm frustrated that the Government has missed the chance to give our region a local role in ferries. If we want a joined up approach to sort out transport problems in Hampshire, on the Isle of Wight and across the Solent, that role has to include ferries as well.