In an Extraordinary County Council meeting on January 9, the incumbent Hampshire county councillors voted to postpone elections in May, a move which will “deny residents of their fundamental right to vote this May”, according to Lib Dem councillor for Ampfield and Braishfield Sally Yalden.
The majority of county councillors voted to wave through devolution in favour of a new combined authority and mayor and to cancel the local elections in May.
In its English Devolution White Paper, the government has proposed to combine existing county and district councils into larger Strategic Authorities.
READ MORE: Hampshire County Council could cut back on local services
Now, Cllr Yalden has started a petition calling on the Government to reject Hampshire County Council’s push to cancel this May’s county elections. Its request to cancel the elections is being made under the cover of the Government’s devolution proposals.
Cllr Yalden argued that cancelling elections would strip Hampshire residents of their right to choose their representatives to steer through local government reorganisation.
Cllr Yalden believes it would be “deeply undemocratic” if the HCC leadership were allowed to extend its tenure “unopposed to lead such a profound change for the next generation”.
She said: “They would have no mandate to steer the devolution proposals and this would undermine the electorate’s trust that a democratic outcome be achieved for the resultant authority.
“I’m a staunch believer in democracy. Our right to vote in regular elections is the cornerstone of a healthy democracy. May’s elections represent a vital opportunity for citizens to elect their representatives at Hampshire County Council and grant them a legitimate mandate to navigate the changes ahead.”
SEE ALSO: Devolution: An undemocratic future for Hampshire?
She emphasised that, following May’s elections, the newly elected administration should collaborate with District and Borough Councils, as well as communities across Hampshire and neighbouring authorities, to thoughtfully devise an effective structure for Unitary and Strategic Authorities.
“Anything less risks repeating the same issues that have plagued local government since the previous reforms in 1974,” she added.
This petition transcends party lines, say Cllr Yalden, as it is a call for unity above politics. She has received numerous messages from concerned residents expressing dissatisfaction with the lack of communication surrounding the rush to devolution.
At the time of writing, 90 people have signed the petition which can be viewed on Change.Org.