Hampshire and Isle of Wight councils rule out delaying May elections

Leaders of the 12 councils due to hold elections in May say they will not apply to postpone them after the Local Government Minister offered delay options; the polls remain scheduled for 7 May.

Council leaders for the 12 local authorities in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight due to hold elections in May say they will not apply to postpone them. The Minister for Local Government, Alison McGovern, wrote last month to 63 authorities saying polls could be delayed where there are capacity concerns. The offer followed plans to reorganise local government in Hampshire, which will reduce the number of unitary authorities serving about two million people. Hampshire County Council’s elections were postponed from May 2025 to allow work on a devolution deal, and a further delay could mean some councillors remain in post for seven years. Key facts: - None of the leaders of the 12 councils due to hold elections in May have applied for a postponement. - Alison McGovern wrote to 63 authorities offering the option to delay polls where there are "capacity concerns." - Hampshire is undergoing local government reorganisation that will create fewer unitary authorities for about two million residents. - Elections are scheduled for 7 May and include Hampshire County Council, eight district and borough councils (Rushmoor, Hart, Basingstoke, Winchester, Eastleigh, Fareham, Gosport and Havant) and three unitary authorities (Portsmouth, Southampton and the Isle of Wight). - Councillor Alex Winning of Southampton said he would not request a postponement and noted decisions on delays rest with the government; Conservative leader Nick Adams-King said asking for a delay should not be the council's responsibility. Summary: Leaders in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight have declined to seek delays, so the elections remain scheduled for 7 May. Any formal decision on postponement would be taken by the government rather than by councils. Undetermined at this time.