Dear Supporters

Many of you will have seen the announcement on Wednesday that the government have accepted Hampshire County Council’s request to cancel the elections in May. The government have made their decision.

Democracy is on hold. Our voices have been ignored. There will be no elections this year. 

They claim this is necessary for the priority devolution programme.  This seems a spurious reason. Why the rush? Surely a complex proposal that effects a disparate area needs to be carefully thought through to make sure it is a success.  It leaves the impression that the government have offered HCC the opportunity to stay in their posts and avoid their electorate as a sweetener to rush through the government’s plans for devolution.  If you haven’t already seen it then check out our brief edited “highlights” of the HCC meeting where the decision was made.

It's a right old stitch up and is profoundly undemocratic.  It leaves the residents of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight facing an upheaval of their local government being led by unelected councillors.  It is a very bad situation for democracy in our country and does not bode well for devolution.

It is unclear when the next election for Hampshire will be.  It looks likely that there will not be another election for Hampshire County Council before it is abolished.

Because of the stealthy way it has been rolled out by both the government and HCC most people did not know about this. We are grateful to everyone who has signed the petition and shared it with others.  Since the decision was announced we have received even more signatures; presumably from people who are only just finding out what has been done.  

Right now we have 1,398 signatures and a similar petition on the Isle of Wight has 2,010 signatures.  We will leave the petition open to provide a place for people to add their support for democracy.

We are right to be furious about this. But what can we do now?

Our advice is to join the fight for democracy.  Perhaps help or join a political party to get their voice heard when there is an election.  Remember that this stitch up has been orchestrated by the Labour Government and Conservative run Hampshire County Council.  The Liberal Democrat, Green and Reform parties have all been fighting this and are all expected to stand candidates when the next elections eventually happen.

Perhaps also consider supporting organisations that campaign for a better democracy like Make Votes Matter or Unlock Democracy both of which are supported by the petition organisers. 

Thank you all for your support.  It’s tough, but if we all stand up and make our presence felt we can win back our democracy.