The Mayoral elections are happening in 2028, sparking a new chapter for Hampshire. You will be eligible to vote if you are a registered voter in Hampshire and the Solent areas.
The new drive towards greater devolution has produced the new Mayoral County Combined Authority (MCCA) giving more power for decision making and investment to local authorities. This election is one of, if not on par with, the most important elections happening in Hampshire since the General Election of 2024. Compared with voting for your local Councillor, voting in a Mayoral Election will have a more significant impact due to the impacts mayors could have on transport, housing, policing and development. With Mayors being at their post for 4 years, it will have an impact on everyday life activities such as commuting times and frequency, opportunities for jobs, council tax and local regeneration – boosting economic growth in the area.
The Mayoral Election in Hampshire was planned to occur in May 2026, until the Government postponed the election to ensure that councils had enough time to prepare for the incoming frameworks. Even after the ‘U-turns’ by the Government of some postponed elections across the UK, Hampshire’s Mayoral election will still take place in 2028. Local Elections will take place in May 2026 in Hampshire.
The government will publish their Strategic Authority this year, working with Southampton City council, Portsmouth City council, Hampshire County council and the Isle of Wight Council. Whilst there won’t be sudden changes to everyday life in Hampshire, it will set out long term growth and opportunities for housing, transport and economic growth. This move towards devolution gives an individual more leadership power to enact change and more accountability. While there have been arguments against a singular mayor holding too much power, it has been proven in other areas which have mayors, that there is more stable leadership, with mayors bringing councillors from each side of the political spectrum together, for unity and boosting effectiveness.
So how will the Mayor and councils now work? Before the Mayoral election in 2028, there will be a “Combined Council Authority Period” where councils will work closer together and develop a framework before the Mayor is elected into the leadership position, creating a Mayoral Combined Council Authority. The elected Mayor will become the leader which will work with 4 / 5 council seats (subject to government approval) to create the new Strategic Authority framework, dubbed the ‘most powerful form of devolved governance outside London’. Councillors and scrutiny committees ensure that the Mayor is held accountable, examining performances and decisions, while recommending improvements and ensuring public funds are used effectively.
Most major political parties have selected a candidate for the mayoral election, while subject to possible change before the election, here is the candidate list as of February 2026: ● Anna Collar, Green Party – Former Candidate for New Forest West in the 2024 General Election.
- Lorna Fielker, Labour – Local Councillor for Swaythling, Southampton. ● Donna Jones, Conservative – Hampshire Police and Crime Commissioner, Candidate for Portsmouth South in the 2024 General Election.
- Chris Parry, Reform UK – Former Royal Navy Rear Admiral, Served as First Chair of UK’s Marine Management Organisation.
- Martin Todd, Liberal Democrat – Winchester City Councillor.
To vote in this important election, you need to be a registered voter in the Hampshire, Isle of Wight and Solent areas. To register you need to visit the GOV.UK website by searching Register to Vote into your preferred search engine. It’s quick and simple and will allow you to vote in all relevant elections and referendums. Voting in the Mayoral Election is the same process as local and general elections, find your local polling station and remember to bring voter ID. The Mayoral Elections are happening on May 4th 2028, but it is important to be aware of the changes and candidates, along with the importance of spreading the significance of these elections to family and friends. Campaigns from candidates and their parties have already begun, so expect a knock on the door or a leaflet through the letterbox explaining different policies and viewpoints from candidate volunteers. If you are interested in getting involved, you can register to volunteer on the respective campaign websites who are always looking for volunteers to assist their campaigns.
This is the most important election that has ever happened for Hampshire so it is important that you use your democratic right to vote for both your Councillor and Mayor in 2028.