Folkestone and Hythe Lib Dems Slam New Kent Devolution Delay Shambles

The government has announced that elections for newly-created mayors will be delayed in four more areas of England. Elections for new mayors with devolved powers were expected to be elected in Greater Essex, Norfolk & Suffolk, Hampshire & the Solent, and Sussex & Brighton in May next year, but will now have to wait until May 2028.

In Kent this is expected to delay any devolution of power from Westminster, with no date being given for a devolution deal for Kent.

Folkestone and Hythe Lib Dem Leader Tim Prater was scathing about the news, and the impact on Local Government Reorganisation in Kent. Tim said:

"I've said throughout Local Government Reorganisation in itself is a time consuming, expensive and futile waste of all our time.

"But devolution of power from Westminster is a valuable prize. It is the only prize that makes this even possibly worthwhile. 

“Going through Local Government Reorganisation without devolution is like going through the Hunger Games knowing there isn’t even going to be a square meal at the end.

"If the Government cannot commit to a date for a devolution deal for Kent then they should stop LRG until they can. 

“The former architect of LRG and Devolution for Labour Jim McMahon says ‘government has a moral and legal obligation to honour the bargain’ and ‘trust is hard won and easily squandered’.

"Not for the first time, I agree with Jim. Labour have got this totally wrong.”