Romsey local elections 2026: All the candidates listed

The authority holds elections every four years, meaning all seats are up for grabs in and around Romsey, including: Baddesley, Romsey Rural, Romsey Town and Test Valley Central.

This could be one of the last elections fought under the current local government structure.

After months of joint work on options, a majority of Hampshire councils – including Winchester – backed proposals in 2025 for a map of four new mainland unitary councils grouped broadly around Winchester, Basingstoke, Southampton and Portsmouth, with the Isle of Wight remaining a separate unitary.

The new structure is scheduled to come into effect from April 2028, with Romsey set to join the New Forest, Test Valley, Winchester and East Hampshire into a new mid‑Hampshire unitary.

The Romsey Advertiser contacted all political parties with candidates standing and asked them to send 100 word bios for each person.

This is what they said:

Baddesley

Sarah Fearn - Labour Party

Peter Lazic - Reform UK

Peter Lazic - Reform UK (Image: Reform UK)

Baddesley resident Peter Lazic is standing to provide the straightforward, nononsense representation his community deserves.

Deeply connected to the area, Peter is committed to protecting local priorities and ensuring residents’ voices are heard at the decision-making table.

He brings a practical, common-sense approach to local issues, rooted in the values of honesty and reliability.

Peter is dedicated to standing up for his neighbours and delivering the clear, accountable leadership needed to support the home he cares for so profoundly.

Mike Munro - Green Party

Mike Munro - Green Party (Image: Green Party)

Mike brings 25 years of military service, experience as a parish councillor, and a background in business to his campaign, along with a deep commitment to the communities he wants to serve. He is standing because the communities of Baddesley have been failed, with buses axed, roads crumbling, chalk streams polluted, and elderly residents losing the care services they rely on. Mike offers honest, hard-working representation and a genuine understanding of what Baddesley and its surrounding villages need. He believes residents deserve a councillor who will listen, speak plainly, and never take this community for granted.

Nigel Graham Nicholson - Local Conservatives

Nigel Graham Nicholson - Local Conservatives (Image: Nigel Nicholson)

I have been involved in local politics for over 30 years, being a parish councillor at 23 years old. I have served as a Romsey Town Councillor in the past..

I am now standing to stop Reform from mismanaging Hampshire County Council, to stop Valley Park from being part of The Southampton Super Council and to improve the quality of life of the residents of the Baddesley Division

Sally Yalden - Liberal Democrats

Sally Yalden - Liberal Democrats (Image: Liberal Democrats)

Sally has been a Councillor in our area for over seven years, and during that time has championed pride in our area, often being seen out litter picking. Sally has extensive experience in the education sector, having been a lecturer, and ran her own local business for nine years. She and her family live locally in Baddesley, and her son attends a local school. Sally has a keen eye for planning matters and has championed residents’ views by setting up public meetings and surveys, so residents’ voices can be are heard.

Romsey Rural

Nick Adams-King - Local Conservatives

Nick Adams-King - Local Conservatives (Image: Nick Adams-King)

By profession a chartered surveyor, Nick built successful businesses in Corporate Relocation and Hospitality before moving into public service. He lives in Awbridge with his partner, a doctor, and their two children. He is committed to protecting Romsey Rural’s character and ensuring villages remain sustainable and thriving.

As Leader of Hampshire County Council, Nick champions rural communities - securing investment, improving roads and drainage, and supporting schools and services. He keeps residents informed and responds quickly to concerns. Visible and approachable, he works closely with his communities, always focused on delivering practical solutions and standing up for the people he represents.

Victoria Ann Burbidge - Liberal Democrats

Victoria Ann Burbidge - Liberal Democrats (Image: Liberal Democrats)

Victoria has lived locally for over 27 years, raising her family and working as a military researcher. She runs two remembrance-based charities and has worked on high-profile international projects, including identifying soldiers from a First World War mass burial site. Through her work, she understands the dedication of both past and present armed forces in safeguarding our personal freedoms. Victoria is passionate about protecting our community and is committed to championing improving police presence to ensure the area remains safe and thriving.

Gary Michael Cooper - Reform UK

Gary Michael Cooper - (Image: Reform UK)

Gary is a dedicated public servant with deep roots in Lymington and West Wellow.

A former RNLI crew member and police officer of 30 years, he famously led security for the Queen’s 2012 Diamond Jubilee visit to the New Forest.

For 17 years, Gary has served as a local college governor, specialising in safeguarding and health and safety.

Now standing for County Councillor, Gary is committed to being a strong voice for his neighbours.

His focus is clear: tackling rural crime and ensuring responsive, visible policing fso every resident feels safe and heard.

Adrian John Paul Field - Labour Party

Matthew Smith - Green Party

Matthew Smith - Green Party (Image: Green Party)

Matthew grew up in a village and knows first-hand what rural community life means. He studied Politics at the University of Portsmouth, graduating with first-class honours, and worked at Hampshire County Council on a regional regeneration project. By day he works as a Business Development Manager, bringing practical experience in problem-solving and getting results. His priorities include stopping sewage pollution in local rivers, tackling flooding in rural communities, fixing dangerous potholes, and fighting to restore lost bus routes. He is determined to ensure county services reach every resident, including the elderly and vulnerable who depend on them most.

Romsey Town

Sandra Julia Gidley - Liberal Democrats

Sandra Julia Gidley - Liberal Democrats (Image: Liberal Democrats)

Sandra has served Romsey for over 25 years, both as its MP and as a local councillor. She lives and brought up her family in Romsey while championing improvements to health services through various national-level roles, including President of the Pharmaceutical Society. Sandra worked as a pharmacist and, since retiring, has continued to support local residents through her work with the Citizens Advice Bureau. As a Borough and Town Councillor for Romsey, Sandra has real-world experience and a strong track record of speaking up for Romsey.

Neil Antony Judd - Green Party

Neil Antony Judd - Green Party (Image: Green Party)

Neil lives in central Romsey with his wife and three children. He co-founded Proforest, a global not-for-profit working with corporations and governments to protect forests and rivers worldwide, and has spent 30 years in environmental sustainability. He wants to bring that expertise back to his local community. As a parent, Neil is particularly concerned about the lack of support for young carers, vulnerable people, and families. He wants Hampshire County Council to strengthen care services, tackle sewage pollution in the River Test, fix crumbling roads, and properly fund the youth and carer charities Romsey depends on. 

Tim Mayer - Local Conservatives

Tim Mayer - Local Conservatives (Image: Tim Mayer)

Tim lives, works, and raises his family in Romsey. With a daughter at a local school, he runs at Ganger Farm parkrun and serves as a director of Kings Chase Residents Management Company. He knows this town because he is part of it.

A dynamic candidate with a proven track record of getting things done, Tim brings fresh energy, sharp commercial thinking, and genuine local commitment. He will fight for development in the right locations and sort our roads once and for all. Conservative candidate. Local man. Real change.

James Lindley Owen - Labour Party

Christina Pointer - Reform UK

Christina Pointer - Reform UK (Image: Reform UK)

Romsey local Christina Pointer is a mum of two and co-owner of a Hampshire scaffolding business.

She understands the daily pressures on working families, from rising costs to the vital need for better SEND support and accessible services.

Already a dedicated community advocate, Christina is listening to residents to ensure their priorities are heard.

She is standing to provide a stronger voice for Romsey, bringing greater accountability and securing the investment and attention our local community truly deserves

Test Valley Central

David Nicholas Alwyne Drew - Local Conservatives

Bud Pollard - Liberal Democrats

Bud Pollard - Liberal Democrats (Image: Liberal Democrats)

Bud grew up in Lockerley and now lives locally with his fiancé. He grew up loving the countryside and wants to ensure we preserve its idyllic character. Bud works at a local small business where he is Head of Marketing and wants to see more small local businesses thrive, instead of just survive. Bud is also acutely aware of the challenges facing local people like the significant rise in heating oil costs that are hitting off the grid residents. If elected Bud will be a tireless champion of our rural communities, finally giving them a voice.

Connor Edward Shaw - Green Party

Connor grew up alongside the rivers and chalk streams of Test Valley and has campaigned to protect them at a national level, including speaking outside DEFRA on the urgent need to preserve these rare and threatened habitats. He previously stood in the 2024 general election in Romsey and Southampton North and has seen first-hand what years of cuts have done to local services. Connor is determined to clean up river pollution, fix crumbling country roads and potholes, improve public transport, and secure properly funded social care, so communities across Test Valley Central get the support they deserve.

Linda Sheffield - Reform UK

Linda Sheffield - Reform UK (Image: Reform UK)

An Andover resident since age three, Linda Sheffield brings a unique blend of public and private sector expertise to her candidacy.

Her 19-year career in Education Personnel at Hampshire County Council, alongside 17 years running her own engraving business, gives her firsthand insight into local services and the challenges facing small businesses.

Linda is standing to preserve British values and rebuild community spirit. By choosing hope over despair and embracing collective strengths, she aims to create a prosperous future that will make the next generation proud to call Britain home

Tessa Susan Valentine - Labour Party