Councillor Phil Jordan, leader of Isle of Wight Council, has set out his position on proposed changes to local election timetables.
Councillor Jordan said he has told the Minister for Devolution, Miatta Fahnbulleh, in person on two occasions that he cannot support any further delays to local elections.
Shared views across the Solent
Councillor Jordan said he understands that leaders in Hampshire, Southampton and Portsmouth hold the same or very similar views on election delays.
He said this position reflects a shared concern across the Solent area rather than an isolated Isle of Wight stance.
Different views elsewhere
Councillor Jordan acknowledged that other local authorities taking part in the Devolution Priority Programme have expressed different views.
He said representatives from areas outside the Solent area put those alternative views directly to the Minister at a recent meeting he attended.
Mayoral elections treated separately
Councillor Jordan stressed that these discussions should not be confused with proposals for mayoral elections.
He said Solent area leaders have asked for the first mayoral election to take place in 2027 rather than 2028, as proposed by the Government (see letter below).
Next steps and January deadline
Councillor Jordan said he will discuss the majority view of Isle of Wight councillors early in January, with a meeting date to be arranged.
He said he plans to respond formally to the Minister after those discussions and before the Government’s deadline of 15th January 2026.
Cross-party opposition to delays
Earlier this week, leaders of other political groups at Isle of Wight Council also shared their opposition to the suggestion from Government that local elections due in May 2026 could be further delayed.
With the Council leader and leaders of other groups all calling for the local elections to go ahead in May 2026, it seems likely that is will be the outcome, as Government has said councils can choose themselves.
Correspondence with Minister
Below shows the letter from the Minister to council leaders, and the letter from leaders of IW, Portsmouth, Southampton and Hampshire councils calling for Mayoral elections to take place in 2027, not 2028.
