'Democratic deficit' fear over mayor election cost

Paul Harvey said the £5,000 deposit was too much for some Independents

Independent councillors have said there could be a "democratic deficit" in next year's mayoral election because of the high cost of standing.

Candidates who want to run to be the Hampshire and Solent mayor will have to pay a £5,000 deposit and will lose it if they don't poll 5% of the vote.

Paul Harvey, the Independent leader of Basingstoke and Deane council, said it was "disgraceful".

The Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local government (MHLCG) said deposits "encourage candidates to fully engage with the election" adding the amount reflected the scale of the role.

The mayor for Hampshire and the Solent will represent more than two million constituents and is due to be elected next May.

"If you want people to take part, you need to make democracy accessible," Mr Harvey said.

"There is absolutely no reason that an independent could not win in this position representing the whole of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, people are fed up with the Punch and Judy show of party politics."

Independents run Basingstoke and Deane borough council and Isle of Wight unitary authority and there are Independent councillors on most Hampshire councils.

The first police and crime commissioner elected in Hampshire and the Island in 2012 was Independent Simon Hayes.

'Mockery of democracy'

Kevin D'Cruze was hoping to stand for mayor and said he was "aghast" when he heard the money needed: "It makes a mockery of democracy."

Kevin D'Cruze, who stood in the general election in Winchester as an Independent, was hoping to stand for mayor and said he was "aghast" when he heard the money needed.

"I'm only on a state pension of £881 per month," he said.

"How am I and others on a low income supposed to find £5,000? It makes a mockery of democracy."

People standing to be an MP needed a lesser deposit of £500 in 2024, although to stand in the police and crime commissioner election candidates had to raise £5,000.

The election is being run by Portsmouth City Council, which can also ask for a contribution towards an election booklet delivered to all households.

The city council has said it does not yet know the cost of producing and delivering the booklets, but Independents fear it could be thousands of pounds.

In 2024 in London, candidates had to pay £10,000 costs. In 2021, in the West Midlands candidates paid £1,500 and in the same year in South Yorkshire costs were £1,000 each.

MHLCG said in a statement it was the responsibility of candidates to fundraise and the amount charged reflected the size of the electorate.

Donna Jones, the current police and crime commissioner, has been announced as the Conservative candidate and Martin Tod, leader of Winchester City Council, as the candidate for the Liberal Democrats.

Dr Anna Collar was declared as the Green Party candidate earlier this week.

Labour's candidate is being selected by members and will be announced in the next few weeks.

Reform UK said the selection process was ongoing and their candidate would be announced in due course.

Mr Harvey has said he does not intend to stand.