Reform UK nominates Rear Admiral as candidate for mayor

Reform UK has selected Rear Admiral Dr. Chris Parry, a retired senior Royal Navy officer, as its contender for the upcoming Hampshire and Solent mayoral election. Dr. Parry, an experienced aviator and warfare specialist, dedicated over three decades to the Royal Navy.

Having spent his entire life in Portsmouth, Dr. Parry expressed his pride in standing for election, stating that he is committed to representing Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, and the Solent with the same dedication he showed in military service.

The mayoral election is scheduled for May 2026, with the winner set to lead the newly established strategic combined authority for the region. Dr. Parry described himself as a "regular citizen" motivated by a strong sense of duty to his community. He emphasized that national government policies have disadvantaged local areas and criticized the inefficiency of current local political structures.

He pledged to bring innovative strategies and practical solutions to local governance, drawing on his extensive experience in achieving results under high-pressure conditions at both national and international levels.

During his naval career, Dr. Parry commanded aviation units, a destroyer, an amphibious assault vessel, the UKs Amphibious Task Group, and the Maritime Warfare Centre. He participated in the Falklands War, successfully neutralizing an enemy submarine and rescuing 16 SAS soldiers from a glacier. His service also included missions across the North Atlantic, the Indo-Pacific, Northern Ireland, and the Gulf region.

Other candidates in the race include:

• Donna Jones, the current Police and Crime Commissioner for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, representing the Conservative Party.
• Councillor Lorna Fielker, former leader of Southampton City Council, representing Labour.
• Martin Tod, leader of Winchester City Council, standing for the Liberal Democrats.
• Anna Collar, an archaeologist and associate professor at the University of Southampton, representing the Green Party.

Author: Sophia Brooks