Rebel state occupies Fleetwood? (8)
I believe the answer is:
maverick
'rebel' is the definition.
(I know that rebel can be written as maverick)
'state occupies fleetwood?' is the wordplay.
'state' becomes 'aver' (both can mean to declare).
'occupies' indicates putting letters inside (inserted letters occupy or enter the word).
'fleetwood?' becomes 'mick' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'aver' put inside 'mick' is 'MAVERICK'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for maverick that I've seen before include "Person with independent or unorthodox views" , "Unpredictable sort of person" , "Non-conformer" , "Loose cannon" , "Unorthodox or independent-minded person" .)