Isle of Wight residents will not be able to vote for new elected County Hall representatives until May 2026 as part of government devolution plans.
Speaking to the House of Commons earlier today, Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner said elections scheduled for May this year in nine local authority areas, including the Isle of Wight, will be postponed for a year.
She said a decision to postpone local elections had only been agreed in places ‘central to our manifesto promise to deliver devolution’ after ‘careful consideration’.
A potential new Hampshire and Solent devolution area has been announced alongside five other areas: Cumbria, Cheshire and Warrington, Greater Essex, Norfolk and Suffolk and Sussex and Brighton.
The areas will elect their own mayors in May 2026.
Councillor Phil Jordan, leader of the Isle of Wight Council, said:
“Currently, central government and Whitehall departments make some key strategic decisions about policy and funding for the Island and the wider area.
“Devolution would shift more of these policy-making powers and additional funding to local authorities such as the Isle of Wight Council.
“This change is expected to provide greater local control over vital areas such as major transport infrastructure, and health services, giving residents more power to shape the things that are important to them and ensuring robust local accountability.
“Given the pressing deadlines, this decision by government is understandable and provides us with the necessary time and capacity to focus intently on this critical work.
“By collaborating across political parties and engaging with local communities, we can ensure we secure the best possible outcomes for our residents.”
The Isle of Wight Council’s cabinet voted to press ahead with Whitehall’s English devolution plans on January 9.
The government described its English Devolution White Paper, published on December 16, as initiating the ‘biggest transfer of power out of Westminster to England’s regions this century’.
Its proposals include new regional Strategic Authorities and mayors.
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