The region's newest parliamentary constituency presents "an amazing opportunity" for the Greens, according to the candidate who hopes to be his party's second-ever MP.

Adrian Ramsay, the Green Party co-leader, is standing in the newly-created, cross-border, Waveney Valley seat, which takes in parts of Norfolk, such as Diss, Harleston and Bunwell and Suffolk settlements such as Bungay, Eye and Halesworth.

The area has traditionally had a strong Tory presence, but it is one of the Green Party's General Election 2024 target seats.

READ MORE: What are the Norfolk and Suffolk election boundary changes?

Adrian Ramsay, Green candidate for Waveney ValleyAdrian Ramsay, Green candidate for Waveney Valley (Image: Green Party)

Mr Ramsay said recent local election results, where his party took control of Mid Suffolk Council and notched up victories in South Norfolk Council divisions, showed people were "ready for change".

He said: "We have got an amazing opportunity here.

"More and more people are talking about voting Green at the election because they want an MP to stand up for voters locally and push the government on reinstating public services and protecting the environment.

"It's very clear that it's a choice here between the Greens and the Conservatives.

"The Greens are strong in Mid Suffolk, but, on the doorstep we are getting just as good a reaction in Diss and Harleston, That shows people are ready for change."

DissDiss (Image: Archant Norfolk Photographic © 2015)

READ MORE: Norfolk and Waveney General Election 2024 candidate list

But, with the Green's sole MP Caroline Lucas having stood down, is there any merit in people voting, on July 4, for a candidate who might be a lone voice in the House of Commons?

Caroline LucasCaroline Lucas

University of East Anglia graduate Mr Ramsay insisted there was. He said, free from any party whip, he would be able to stand up for local issues and work with others to assist his electorate.

He said his spell as a Norwich city councillor, where he led the Green group at a time when the council was under no overall control, had given him a good grounding in collaborative working.

Mr Ramsay said housing, pollution, pylon plans, the need for investment in market towns and access to NHS dentistry were key issues in the Waveney Valley constituency.

Action from the East Anglian Derby - Norwich City versus Ipswich TownAction from the East Anglian Derby - Norwich City versus Ipswich Town (Image: Focus Images)

The constituency, uniquely, takes in parts of Norfolk and Suffolk. With the renowned rivalry between Norwich City and Ipswich Town football fans, where does Mr Ramsay's allegiance lie?

"I am a Norwich City fan and I do not hide that. But I was careful to congratulate Ipswich Town on their promotion, because, just as with politics, I like to be non-tribal."

The other Waveney Valley candidates are Scott Huggins (Reform UK), Dr Gurpreet Padda (Labour), Richard Rout (Conservatives), Maya Severyn (Social Democratic Party) and John Shreeve (Liberal Democrats).