Councillors should be ashamed over election delay

The events surrounding the vote to delay the county council elections have been disheartening and disappointing to watch upfold to say the least. Conservative-led Hampshire County Council, hand in hand with Labour, voted to try and cancel local elections for the county on May 1.

The only times before where county elections have been cancelled were during both the first and second world wars when the country was in peril. The only other similar situation was during the Covid pandemic when district elections were postponed due to the ongoing international health emergency.

The most disappointing and downright scandalous moment of this event has been the complete disregard councillors have had for people’s right to exercise their democratic rights in May. One councillor said that voters were content with not having to vote during the pandemic. Another said that if people have concerns with councillors overrunning their terms for a year or two then councillors could give up their allowance. As if to suggest that democracy has a monetary value and is not an absolute principle in this country.

The ability of some councillors to play political point-scoring with local elections, making cheap political jibes and then, in the same breath, saying that they respect democracy is just appalling.

Conservative and Labour councillors ought to hang their heads in shame at this blatant attempt to cover up holding onto power without a democratic mandate as ‘going along with government-mandated devolution.’ Trying to cover it up as though they didn’t have a choice in the direction they are taking.

The truth of the matter is that the Government had already been in discussion with councils earlier in the year and had created a shortlist of councils to be fast tracked. Hampshire was not one of them. But now faced with the looming likelihood of losing their seats they are clawing their way back to the negotiation table to be fast-tracked to devolution. All with the intention of ‘postponing’ elections to 2026. It is worthy of national scandal, but as with most things the Conservatives and Labour will try to sweep it under the rug and hide it from the electorate.

I implore as many people as possible to go and sign the petition online ‘Let Hampshire Vote in May 2025’. We must send a message to the council that they are going against the democratic will of people in Hampshire.

Thomas Figgins

Town councillor for St Peters

Petersfield

Centralisation not efficiency is devolution’s goal

Last week’s Post (January 16) published two articles on the Hampshire County Council elections and local government reorganisation. Russell Oppenheimer extols the virtues of local government reorganisation, eliminating one level of government, increasing the size of the authorities. He claims this will improve efficiency and save costs.

All it is likely to do is move decision-making and delivery of services even further away from local people to more centralised and thus remote authorities.

Meanwhile, you reported on opposition from the Lib Dems to the potential deferment of the county council elections as a result of the possible reorganisation, which Russell Oppenheimer supports, with the Lib Dems claiming that such deferment of the ballot would be undemocratic. Such a decision, yet to be confirmed by central government, would mean that people elected almost four years ago, with no mandate to restructure local government, would make a decision with no consultation or involvement of the people of East Hampshire.

The restructuring and deferral of elections have not been placed before the electorate, or indeed, most of the local authorities affected. To say that this is undemocratic is a mild understatement. More likely, the proposal is motivated by the realisation that both Conservatives and Labour are likely to lose a substantial number of votes and thus seats at the upcoming election.

There is an apparent disregard for the good of the county, districts and service provision. Previous examples of local government reorganisation have not been successful in terms of reduced costs and increased efficiency, and they have made decision making even more remote from those affected. This one will almost certainly do the same.

The restructuring should be opposed, and the elections to the county council should proceed as planned.

Mike Wallace

Lower Mead

Petersfield

Blackwater Valley authority is long overdue

Living in Fleet, I cannot comment much on Waverley or Woking. But I do think that a combined authority for the Blackwater Valley, however you define the boundaries, is long overdue.

For public transport it would be entirely logical to combine Aldershot, Farnborough, Farnham and Fleet into a combined Blackwater Valley authority.

Fleet and Farnham need a bus service linking them, which at present is ruled out by them being in separate counties.

However, I do not think that a mayor is either needed or logical, nor do I believe that the people in each town would want to lose their identities.

May I suggest that we start with a combined transport authority and then build on that, but the sweeping undemocratic changes proposed by Labour would certainly not be wanted.

Malcolm Chase

Kent Road

Fleet

Let’s recognise exceptional service

Do you know of anyone who has given exceptional service to any sections of life in Haslemere, Hindhead and surrounding villages who deserves to be recognised for this?

Since the scheme started in 2010 local people have been honoured with a volunteer award to thank them for this extra special service. The medals for such people were kindly donated by the Herald proprietor, the late Sir Ray Tindall.

The next presentation will coincide with Haslemere Town Council’s annual meeting being held at Haslemere Museum on Wednesday, March 5 at 6pm.

Nominations are being sought for those who fit the category. Normally they will have given the service over several years and for more than one organisation.

Application forms are available from www.haslemere.com/awards. Once these are received, a panel of independent people will consider each candidate and those successful will be notified shortly afterwards.

We know there are very many who deserve recognition and we would like to hear about these people and give them a well-deserved award.

Fay Foster

Haslemere Volunteer Award Scheme

Lythe Hill Park

Haslemere