For too long, the most important decisions affecting our Island—from how our public transport works to where our major infrastructure investments go—have been made by civil servants in Whitehall. That is finally changing.
In March 2026, the Government confirmed that the Isle of Wight is at the heart of a transformative shift in power. Through the creation of the Hampshire and the Solent Mayoral Combined County Authority (MCCA), we are bringing decision-making back to the South Coast.
Labour has fought for a deal that protects the Isle of Wight’s identity while unlocking the massive investment our island deserves.
Here is why this is a historic win for our community.
This isn’t just a change on a map; it’s a massive injection of capital. We have secured a £1.3 billion investment fund to be delivered over the next 30 years.
- Upfront Funding: More funding in the early years to kickstart major projects immediately.
- Local Control: This money won’t be tied up in Westminster red tape. It will be spent on our priorities: regeneration, housing, and local jobs.
We know how frustrating the local transport system can be. Under the new devolution deal, the regional Mayor and the Combined Authority will have the power to:
- Integrate Ticketing: Imagine a “tap-on, tap-off” system that works across buses, trains, and ferries—similar to London.
- Decarbonise Travel: We will have the authority to invest in cleaner, greener bus fleets to improve our air quality.
- Control Rail Stations: We are seeking greater control over our local stations to turn them into better hubs for regeneration and accessibility
And, having backed Island Labour’s calls for urgent regulation of cross-Solent ferry services, the Labour candidate for Mayor, Lorna Fielker, has committed to investing in a feasibility study to establish whether a fixed link could be viable.
The role of mayor will bring together the leadership of many separate organisations. They will take the place of the Police & Crime Commissioner, lead the Fire and Rescue Authority and be the joint chair of the Integrated Care Board. This will mean:
- Improving education provision: uniting the leadership of partner services so as to ensure more meaningful co-production of individual Education, Health and Care Plans for Island children.
- Better cooperation between local NHS & social care services: The Mayor’s leadership role in both of these areas will incentivise cooperation and potentially reduce “bed-blocking”.
By partnering with Homes England, we are unlocking earlier access to major regeneration funding. For the Island, this means:
- New Affordable Housing: More power to build the homes Islanders actually need.
- Adult Skills: Control over the adult education budget will allow us to train Islanders for the high-tech, green-energy, and maritime jobs of the future.
While the first Mayoral election has been scheduled for May 2028, the work starts now. The Combined Authority has been established this year, and we are already working to ensure the Isle of Wight’s voice is the loudest at the table.
We are choosing to lead, not follow. We are choosing to invest in our people, our transport, and our future. This is about making sure that there are greater opportunities and more investment for the Isle of Wight.
Follow Lorna Fielker's Mayoral campaign
"This region has so much potential, from our amazing cities and towns to our stunning coast and countryside, and I know what we can achieve when we work together.
"I’ve always believed politics should be about getting things done properly and making sure no one is left behind. That’s what’s driven me throughout my time in public service, protecting local services, supporting families and helping people into secure homes and good jobs.
"Now, I can’t wait to get out and talk to people right across our region about how we can build a fairer, greener and more prosperous future together."