It’s a shame that Government has decided to go against the local cross party support for holding the Mayoral election for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight next year, in 2027.

Given that we already have elections for the Town and Parish Councils, as well as the District Council, it would have made a lot of sense, and saved money, to have the vote for a Mayor at the same time.

It would also have been a positive thing for the elected Mayor to have been able to set to work, earlier rather than later, on things like improving the local transport offer.

We will now have to have a separate election for the post in 2028.

I know that the Lib Dem candidate, Cllr. Martin Tod will be disappointed (seen here discussing the potential for a return of the Waterside passenger rail service with me).

For a Government that says it believes in devolution, the decisions it makes, ( like ignoring local wishes), suggests that it is less than actions meeting the words.