Greater Manchester By-Election Underway to Replace Andy Burnham
Seven candidates vie for mayoral role as polls open across 10 local authorities, marking a shift in regional governance.
Carla Rooney
Polls are open across Greater Manchester today for a by-election to select a new mayor, following Andy Burnham's departure for Parliament.
Bev Craig, representing Labour, faces formidable opposition from Phil Eckersley for the Conservatives and Geraldine Coggins for the Green Party.
Sian Astley enters the race for Reform UK, Richard Kilpatrick for the Liberal Democrats, Marlon West for Restore Britain, and Marcus Farmer as an Independent, creating a crowded and unpredictable field.
This by-election employs the supplementary vote (SV) system, a distinct shift from the first-past-the-post method used in the 2024 mayoral election.
Under SV, a candidate must secure over 50% of first-choice votes for an outright win; if no candidate achieves this threshold, the top two contenders advance to a second round where second-choice votes then determine the victor.
The metro mayor role, established in 2017, governs across 10 local authorities, wielding significant influence over regional policy and resource allocation.
Andy Burnham, the previous mayoral incumbent, secured a special election for a seat in Parliament last month, necessitating the current by-election as MPs cannot simultaneously hold the mayoral position.
During his tenure, Andy Burnham established 'No. 10 North,' a branch of the prime minister's office in Manchester, and announced a cut to energy bills and a cap on bus fares in his first week.
After years working alongside Bev Craig, I have no doubt that she will work every single day to build on the progress we’ve all made together.
Burnham stated, "After years working alongside Bev Craig, I have no doubt that she will work every single day to build on the progress we’ve all made together," describing serving as mayor for nearly a decade as an "immense privilege."
The Prime Minister claims Bev Craig will ensure every town and borough shares in the region’s success, while Geraldine Coggins, the Green Party candidate, advocates for 'full fat devolution, not semi skimmed,' demanding greater regional autonomy.
This call for autonomy follows the Green Party's victory in a special parliamentary election in the Gorton and Denton district in February, securing a significant regional win.
Full fat devolution, not semi skimmed.
Marlon West, the Restore Britain candidate, carries a personal history of campaigning against rape gangs; his daughter was a victim, driving his advocacy.
Current polling places Labour and Reform UK at 22 per cent each, with the Conservatives at 21 per cent, suggesting a tight contest with no clear frontrunner.
The 2024 mayoral election incurred a cost of £4.7 million, a significant financial outlay for such democratic exercises.
Turnout for mayoral elections has historically struggled, with only 29% participating in 2017, raising critical questions about voter engagement in this by-election, marking Greater Manchester's fourth election of the year in July.
Over half of Britons consider the economy one of the most important issues facing the country, a factor that could significantly influence voter decisions in the current contest.
Nigel Farage campaigns in Clacton-on-Sea, highlighting the broader political landscape and indicating that national parties maintain focus beyond this specific regional contest.