The Isle of Wight Liberal Democrat Group are backing Martin Tod (Lib Dem candidate for Hampshire and the Solent regional mayor) in his demands to accelerate the timetable for elections.
Martin Tod said,
“The Prime Minister’s announcements about extra powers and improved funding are good news – but Hampshire and the Isle of Wight need more.
“A big disappointment is that the PM 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.”
Bembridge Lib Dem Councillor, Mark Rochell, said,
“We are suffering a huge financial disadvantage due to this unnecessary delay.
“When we eventually get a mayor in place they will control an investment fund which equates to £44.6 million pound per year. Until that time funding is reduced to £17.8 million per year.
“This means that for every week that we are made to wait for elections we are missing out on over half a million pounds of funding that could be controlled and invested locally.”
Councillor Rochell continued,
“This is a crucial time for local government. The first acts of our new PM were to meet with regional mayors and begin announcements for new powers and extra funding.
“However, until we get the right to elect a mayor for our region, we are left with no one at the table. This feels yet again like the Island is being left behind.”
Isle of Wight Lib Dems will be co-ordinating with Martin Tod and fellow regional Lib Dem councillors to lobby the Government to bring forward election to next May.
News shared by Mark on behalf of Isle of Wight Lib Dems. Ed
