Why it matters: David Beavan becomes the first independent candidate to enter the race for Mayor of Norfolk and Suffolk, joining four party political candidates in an election that will determine who leads the new combined authority.
The details: Mr Beavan was initially elected to the council as a Liberal Democrat in 2019, and then re-elected in 2023, taking a role in the Green-led administration as deputy leader and lead for housing.
He was expelled from the Lib Dems, of which he was a part for 55 years, in June last year after giving his backing to Adrian Ramsay, who became the Green MP for Waveney Valley.
Since becoming a cabinet member in East Suffolk, he has campaigned for more social housing, targeting developers who drop affordable home requirements for profits.
What he's saying: "My main message is that we do need to invest in the East to make things work, it will be investment which pays back in the future in terms of better lives," he said.
Mr Beavan said he would be keen to revisit the Lowestoft flood barrier project, which was put on hold in January last year due to a £124 million gap in funding.
"If people want someone who actually gets stuff done, I do get stuff done," he said.
He added: "I think so much is driven by party politics, and I really feel passionately that we should be forgetting about different political parties and just work together.
"We're pretty independent people in the east, it's based on logic, reason, and evidence, not on some track written by some ideologue 100 years ago.
"I don't have to think about what the party will think; all I have to think about is what is right – see what works, do what works and make it work."
The bigger picture: Mr Beavan has promised to focus particularly on housing and healthcare as two vital issues affecting residents across both counties, drawing on his experience at East Suffolk Council.
He said he decided to throw his hat in the ring for the role after having to deal with the "incompetence" at the local government level.
The mayoral race: Elections are due to take place for a new Mayor for Norfolk and Suffolk in May next year.
Other candidates who have already been announced are:
Carli Harper (Labour)
Kevin Keable (Lib Dem)
Tim Passmore (Conservative)
Caroline Topping (Green)
Reform UK is yet to announce its candidate, and there are no other independent candidates as of now.
The bottom line: An independent councillor who was a Liberal Democrat for 55 years has entered the mayoral race, promising to prioritise results over party politics in leading the new combined authority for Norfolk and Suffolk.
