Greater Manchester Votes for New Mayor as 2 Million Choose Burnham’s Successor

Voters across Greater Manchester cast ballots on July 30 to elect a new mayor, with 2 million eligible electors choosing a successor to Andy Burnham, who quit the role to become Prime Minister on July 20. Labour candidate Bev Craig, leader of Manchester City Council, holds a commanding 20-point lead over Reform UK’s Sian Astley in the latest polling. The winner will control a £3 billion annual budget and oversee housing, health, policing and transport across the region’s 3 million residents.

Why the by-election happened

Andy Burnham served as Greater Manchester mayor for nine years before winning a parliamentary seat in the Makerfield by-election on June 18. MPs cannot hold the mayoralty simultaneously, so Burnham had to step down. He became Prime Minister after Keir Starmer announced his resignation, making this the largest mayoral by-election in British history by eligible voter count.

Labour’s commanding lead

A More in Common poll this week gave Craig a 20 percentage point lead over Reform UK’s Astley, with the Greens in third on 14 points. Labour benefits from a Burnham bounce and the supplementary voting system, which allows voters to pick first and second preferences. If no candidate reaches 50%, second choices are counted, and Labour is likely to pick up support from Green and Lib Dem voters.

What the mayor controls

The winner leads the Greater Manchester Combined Authority across ten boroughs: Bolton, Bury, Manchester, Oldham, Rochdale, Salford, Stockport, Tameside, Trafford and Wigan. The mayor manages the Bee Network of buses, trams and bikes, plus devolved powers over housing, planning, policing, fire services and skills. Polling stations close at 10pm on July 30, with counting starting Friday at 9am at Co-op Live. Results are expected by mid-afternoon Friday.

Seven candidates on the ballot

Voters choose between Bev Craig for Labour, Geraldine Coggins for the Greens, Sian Astley for Reform UK, Richard Martin Kilpatrick for the Liberal Democrats, Phil Eckersley for the Conservatives, and independent candidate Marcus Jonathan Farmer. Astley left a campaign event early, citing solidarity with an uninvited independent candidate. Burnham urged voters to back Craig to build on progress made during his tenure.

Final Thoughts

With Craig holding a 20-point lead and Labour favoured under the supplementary voting system, the result appears set. Counting begins Friday morning with results expected by mid-afternoon, determining who controls a £3 billion budget across 3 million residents.

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