Statement on delay of Mayoral elections until 2028

What a mess.  I just wish Labour could make a plan and stick to it.

It’s frustrating and a missed opportunity because some decisions that could have been locally here in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight will be made in London for the next two years.

That will still be the case if a Combined Authority is set up without a Mayor.

And if there is a Combined Authority, it is then even more important that district, unitary and county elections go ahead. The people running the new Combined Authority must be chosen by the public. I want to hear confirmation of that.  

It was a disgrace when county elections were delayed last year: councillors are elected by the public for 4 years, not 5, 6 or 7.  

I was running to be Mayor next year because I and my Liberal Democrat colleagues want to get things moving – improving our environment, delivering growth, jobs and investment, getting more affordable homes, tackling the challenges of our health system, and fixing our transport.  

And I still do.

Clearly I’m going to have to work on other ways to make that happen – at least for the next two and a half years.  

I still think having Mayors – and making decisions more locally – is a good idea – and I’m disappointed by the delay. But ultimately I’m a member of the Liberal Democrats because of the changes we want to make.  

The institutions may change, but our ambition to make a difference for people in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight doesn't have to.