Anyone who has come across Ann Barnes will know her as someone who isn't afraid to speak her mind and has fairly forthright views. (A bit like Ann Widdecombe).
Among the subjects that she has not been backward in coming forward on is the government's plans for elected police commissioners. And the policy is not one she has been enthused about - until now.
Long before yesterday's official launch of her campaign to become Kent's first elected police commissioner, plenty of people were speculating that she might put her name in the hat but she steadfastly refused to say she would.
So, what has changed her mind?
According to Ann, there is no inconsistency in her misgivings about the policy and her candidacy - "we are where we are" is how she puts it - but it is the twin fears about the police coming under increasing political control and greater privatisation that convinced her to put her name in the frame.
Interestingly, I'm told she did receive overtures from at least one political party a while ago but is said to have declined.
She is undoubtedly one of the more credible independent candidates on the starting blocks.
It is an astute move to bring in the energetic Peter Carroll to mastermind her campaign - the man who gave Ann Helen Grant a close run at the last general election as a Lib Dem candidate and who can list successes with Gurkhas and the Fair Fuel among notable campaigns.
But like all independent candidates, she will not have the advantage of a party machine behind her and be able to call on members and activists to post letters and knock on doors. In a county as large as Kent, that will prove a challenge although it is one she seems to relish.
Then there is the issue of her profile. She is well known among the political establishment as the long-standing chair of the Kent Police Authority, which is not to be sniffed at. But beyond the corridors of power and Kent Police HQ?
Still, her presence in the contest will make it infinitely more interesting and stands to make it less likely to become a run-off between the two main party candidates - Conservative Craig Mackinlay and Labour's Harriet Yeo.
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It looks like we won't have to wait too long before we find out how KCC's Conservative leadership intends to save £100m out of next year's budget. Unlike previous years, the budget proposals are to be published in September - not December of January. Why?
Well, you could call me an old cynic but getting bad news out of the way early, especially in an election year, is a tried and trusted political ploy.
Mind you, judging by the tit bits from leader Paul Carter at last week's full council meeting, you'd be forgiven for thinking that it will be a vote winner rather than a vote loser.
The spin doctors have been at work too - it seems the theme will be based around four 'Ps' - partnership, productivity, procurement and prevention (that last one is not about preventing votes being lost, by the way.)
And the fifth 'P' will be - roll of drums - the 'people of Kent.' Clever, eh?
So, what shall we call it? With all these 'p's around, I rather like the idea of it being the Birds Eye budget.
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