Southampton Council Leader Steps Down to Run for Hampshire, Isle of Wight Mayor

Lorna Fielker, leader of Southampton City Council, has announced she will step down by the end of July to pursue becoming Labour’s candidate for the first regional mayor of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. This new mayoral position, established under the UK government’s devolution priority programme, will have authority over infrastructure, transport, skills, and employment with powers and funding transferred from Westminster. Fielker emphasized the need to represent the entire region rather than just Southampton and highlighted her achievements in addressing the council’s financial challenges and launching a major city centre regeneration plan. The Labour group will select a new council leader following her departure, while the Conservative police and crime commissioner Donna Jones has also declared her intention to run for mayor. The mayoral election is scheduled for May next year, with party candidate selection processes yet to take place. Fielker expressed her commitment to continue serving Southampton until a successor is chosen and aims to deliver a strong, collaborative vision for the region’s future.