Background
The Isle of Wight was historically part of Hampshire. It became an administrative county in 1890, and a ceremonial county in 1974 when it gained its own Lord Lieutenant.
Previous plans in Hampshire have included a Solent Combined Authority in South Hampshire (potentially alongside the Isle of Wight) and a "Heart of Hampshire" deal including the remainder of the county. However, these plans were rejected in the south due to objections from Isle of Wight Council, and in the north of the county due to disagreements and the likelihood of the constituent authorities being reorganised. [2] [3] [4] [5]
In February 2025, the government announced that six areas had been selected to join the Devolution Priority Programme, which would include the establishment of mayoral combined authorities in each area and local government reorganisation, if necessary, to remove two-tier local government. [6] In these areas, the councils involved were asked to submit final proposals for reorganisation at the end of September 2025. Hampshire County Council, Portsmouth and Southampton city councils, and the cabinet of the Isle of Wight Council voted in favour of bringing forward the proposal. [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council considered joining Hampshire and the Solent, but ultimately voted in favour of joining Dorset, Somerset and Wiltshire in the Heart of Wessex proposal. [12] [13] [2]
The formation of a mayoral combined authority for Hampshire and the Solent was agreed by the UK government in February 2025. [14] [15] [16] The inaugural election was initially due to be held in May 2026, however in December 2025 the election, alongside three other new mayoral combined authorities, was delayed until 2028. [17] [18]
Candidates
The Conservative, Green, Labour and Liberal Democrat, and Reform UK parties have all announced candidates. [19]
Conservative Party
Donna Jones was selected in August 2025 in what was described as a "competitive process". [20] [21]
Green Party of England and Wales
The Green Party of England and Wales announced that Anna Collar, who had previously stood unsuccessfully as the Green Candidate for New Forest West in the 2024 General Election, had been selected unopposed on 1st October 2025. [24]
Labour Party
Labour announced Lorna Fielker, former Leader of Southampton City Council as their candidate on November 10th. [19]
Liberal Democrats
Martin Tod was selected in September 2025 for the Liberal Democrats. [19]
Rear Admiral Dr Chris Parry was announced as the Reform UK Candidate in December 2025. [30]
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