Who wants to be Mayor of Suffolk and Norfolk?

The mayor's key responsibilities are likely to include transport, housing and skills

The race for the Mayor of Suffolk and Norfolk has begun, with political parties starting to announce who their candidate for the top job will be.

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 a mayor will get more money and powers over things like transport, adult education and skills, and housing.

Here is a list of all the candidates who have officially declared they are running. It will be updated as they are announced.

The election will take place in May 2026.

Parties still to announce

• The Labour Party selection should be announced at the end of September

• The Liberal Democrats say it will be by the end of the autumn

• Reform UK had indicated they will be making their announcement in mid October

• We are yet to hear about any independent candidates.

The Conservative Party

Tim Passmore is currently Suffolk's Police and Crime Commissioner and has been selected as the Conservative candidate for mayor

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 was an elected member of Mid Suffolk Council and led the authority before becoming PCC.

He says he will 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 adds.

"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, helping individuals and business alike."

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 says.

The Green Party

Caroline Topping is the Green Party mayoral candidate for Suffolk and Norfolk and is currently the leader of East Suffolk Council

The Green Party has selected Caroline Topping as their mayoral candidate for Norfolk and Suffolk.

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

She has led East Suffolk Council for the last two years and is 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 says.

"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.

"Now I would like the opportunity to serve the wider communities of Norfolk and Suffolk.

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

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