Who wants to be Mayor of Suffolk and Norfolk?

The race for the mayor of Suffolk and Norfolk has begun, with the five main political parties announcing who their candidates are.

A mayor would be in charge of what is called a combined county authority – which would be made up of Norfolk and Suffolk's councils.

The government has said the mayor will get more money and powers over things like transport, adult education and skills, and housing.

The five main parties have now announced who is running for them. The list will be updated with any other candidates announced.

The election will take place in May 2026.

David Bick, who was elected to Norfolk County Council earlier this year, is standing for Reform UK.

In May, he became one of two Reform members on the authority, winning the seat previously held by Labour's Terry Jermy – who stood down after becoming the MP for South West Norfolk.

Bick's career has been in business and financial communications, including advising professional football clubs and he has worked as a sports finance commentator. He has also previously served as a borough councillor in London.

"It has been a privilege to stand up for the residents of Thetford West, and I look forward to the opportunity to represent all of the people across Norfolk and Suffolk," said Bick.

"I am offering commitment and a determination to put this region on the right course after a generation of gross mismanagement," he added.

"Voters can at last be confident that in Reform UK they have a party and a movement for our people. Our plans and policies are ambitious but realistic, and we mean to run government at every level with common sense."

Norwich city councillor Carli Harper is standing for Labour.

Elected last year, she is the authority's cabinet member for finance and major projects, overseeing the regeneration of the former Anglia Square shopping centre and surrounding area. The project will see 1,100 homes – mostly flats - built, with the council pledging that more than half will be affordable.

Following her selection as candidate, Harper said "we can unlock the full potential of our region and build a better future for all who call it home".

A communications consultant and former Tower Hamlets councillor, she said she was "standing because I care deeply about our region".

"It's time to deliver the change and renewal Norfolk and Suffolk deserve, tackling the issues that matter most to local people, from health and the cost of living to better transport links and affordable housing.

"Together, we can build an inclusive and ambitious future for everyone across Norfolk and Suffolk — one that draws on our region's reputation for innovation, science, clean energy and creative arts to create opportunity, raise living standards, and make sure no community is left behind."

Kevin Keable is standing for the Liberal Democrats.

Born in Beccles and with a background in the oil and gas industry, he is chair of the East of England Energy Group, which represents the region's energy sector.

"This corner of England is more than my home," said Keable, who began his career with an engineering apprenticeship at Lowestoft College.

"It's where I learned to work, to play hard and to build things that last."

He said his priorities as mayor would include making Norfolk and Suffolk a "global clean energy superpower", a low carbon rural bus network - and ending sewage spills.

With one of the mayor's responsibilities including improving peoples' skills, he said he wanted to "transform education and training so local people can thrive in the new economy".

"Everywhere I go, people tell me the same thing - they feel ignored," Keable said. "London makes the decisions, Westminster takes the credit and we're left picking up the pieces."

"This mayoral election is our chance to take power back and put it where it belongs."

The Conservative Party has selected Tim Passmore as their candidate for mayor.

Mr Passmore, who lives in North Suffolk, has been the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) in Suffolk since the role was created more than a decade ago.

The 65-year-old was born in Suffolk and has worked in the agricultural sector for more than 30 years. He previously led Mid Suffolk Council.

He said he would fight "to ensure we receive a much fairer share of national resources instead of being continually ignored in favour of metropolitan areas".

"We pay our taxes like everyone else and receive far too little return," he added.

"My priorities will focus on making the area a more competitive place to attract inward investment and much needed economic growth.

"This means our transport system needs improving - major road upgrades, the Ely and Haughley rail junctions and Norwich Airport. Improved local public transport, especially in rural areas, will improve connectivity."

He is also a keen supporter of rolling out 5G communication technology.

"Together through the power of collaboration we can seize this opportunity and increase prosperity for all," he said.

Caroline Topping will stand for the Green Party.

She helped the Greens secure 16 councillors at East Suffolk Council in the 2023 district council elections and formed a coalition to lead the authority with the Liberal Democrats and Independents.

She has led East Suffolk Council for the last two years and is also a county councillor for the Beccles ward.

"I am honoured to have been chosen to represent the area I have lived and worked in for most of my life," she said.

"In my time as leader of East Suffolk Council, the council has cracked down on fraud, protecting £2.8m of taxpayers' money, driven the upgrade of play areas across the district, built new council housing for residents, put millions into community facilities - whilst coping with the huge challenges of energy infrastructure and Sizewell C construction.

"We need a representative around the table in Westminster fighting our corner and making sure we are being heard and not being left behind."

Topping has promised to run an "open and transparent mayoralty where our priorities and processes can be seen and understood by all".

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