In his role as Chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, Ranil Jayawardena, M.P. hosted a meeting in Parliament yesterday between Members of Parliament and Council Leaders.

The purpose of the discussion was to get everyone around one table, so to speak, to focus on the good that government can do together – central and local – through closer working and a collegiate devolution of powers.

Ranil Jayawardena, M.P. commented:

“I’m clear that we all want to see the best possible deal for all Hampshire residents, with a devolution deal from HM Government is possible. This will require further work to arrive at a new consensus, based on a new package and a new geography that works for everyone.

I am hopeful that the shared, positive, ambition of local MPs and Council Leaders will trump the difficulties of the recent past”.