Eastleigh MP Liz Jarvis has labelled current proposals for the restructure of Hampshire councils as “nothing short of incoherent”.

The Liberal Democrat politician warned that as things stand the opportunity presented by local government reorganisation (LGR) would be missed.

Councils must submit their preferred model for LGR to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government by Friday, September 26.

As part of its devolution agenda, the government wants to abolish the mixed two-tier structure and replace it with larger councils delivering all services for across areas with a population of around 500,000.

A collective business case was unveiled by 12 councils on Wednesday, September 5, which set out three different options for four mainland unitary authorities and the Isle of Wight remaining a standalone council.

Hampshire County Council and East Hampshire District Council are putting forward a proposal with three mainland authorities, while Gosport Borough Council is completely opposed to LGR.

Ms Jarvis told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “Hampshire County Council, despite the protests of existing authorities, have suggested creating three giant ‘super-councils’, each serving around 700,000 people.

“These three mainland councils as currently proposed are vast and geographically incoherent, stretching across areas that have little shared identity or day-to-day connection.

“I am under no illusion that drawing boundary lines is difficult and will not please everyone but the proposals we have received so far in Hampshire have been frankly nothing short of incoherent.

“Local government reorganisation is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to create councils which provide services that are reflective of the way people actually live, work, and travel – as things stand, this will be an opportunity missed.”

Ms Jarvis said the real test of devolution was whether it meant more power for communities.

She said it did not mean creating “large, remote authorities” that left residents with less representation and influence, and further away from the people making decisions on behalf of their towns and villages.

Her comments come as six Labour MPs from across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight wrote to local government minister Jim McMahon MP to support the joint proposal put forward by 12 councils.

Alex Baker (Aldershot), Satvir Kaur (Southampton Test), Amanda Martin (Portsmouth North), Like Murphy (Basingstoke), Darren Paffey (Southampton Itchen) and Richard Quigley (Isle of Wight North) said their preference offered “a clear, pragmatic, and future-focused vision for how local government should serve our residents”.

Their letter said: “At its core is a commitment to building councils that are local enough to remain rooted in their communities, yet large enough to be financially resilient and deliver sustainable public services.

“Four new unitary authorities covering around two million people on the mainland will provide the efficiency and scale the government seeks, without losing the close connection residents value.

“Crucially, this structure also creates a fair and balanced Mayoral Combined Authority, ensuring equal representation from every part of Hampshire which is exactly what our constituents have told us matters most.”

The Labour MPs said they were “very concerned” by the Hampshire County Council and East Hampshire District Council proposal, adding that it would create “unwieldy authorities with disconnected and diverse populations”.

The final say on LGR will be made by ministers, with a decision expected to be announced in spring 2026 after a public consultation.