Every resident of Hampshire is being deprived of their democratic rights due to the deferral of the County Council election until 2026.

Hampshire County Council (HCC) requested, and the Government has granted, a delay of 1 year to the election planned for 1 May 2025. The reason given, that the Council will be too busy planning for local government reorganisation to hold an election, is exceedingly weak. County Councillors were last elected in May 2021 for a 4-year term. HCC will have no democratic legitimacy if there are no elections this year. 

Although this May's election is now officially cancelled there is a way for individual councillors to demonstrate their commitment to democracy. We call upon all 78 County Councillors in Hampshire to show respect for their constituents' right to properly elected representatives by resigning, thereby triggering a by-election in their Division.

(Please only sign this petition if you are a resident of Hampshire.)