James Whitfield
Politics Correspondent
James Whitfield is the Politics Correspondent at The Manchester Daily, covering local government, the combined authority, the mayor’s office and the decisions shaping the city-region.
He explains what the council and Greater Manchester’s leaders are actually doing — and what it means for the people who live here — in plain English.
James’s latest articles
Bev Craig elected Greater Manchester Mayor as PM Burnham pledges new regional powers
Labour's Bev Craig has won the Greater Manchester mayoral by-election, succeeding Prime Minister Andy Burnham and praising his plans to devolve income tax powers to local leaders.
Bev Craig Elected Greater Manchester Mayor After Defeating Reform UK
Labour's Bev Craig has won the Greater Manchester mayoral by-election, succeeding Andy Burnham following a contest marked by a historically low voter turnout.
Manchester residents react to Andy Burnham's new 'No 10 North' office
The opening of the Prime Minister's new northern base in Albert Square has drawn cautious optimism from locals hoping for improved regional infrastructure.
Polls close in Greater Manchester mayoral by-election as region awaits historic result
Seven candidates are vying to replace Andy Burnham. The count begins at Co-op Live at 9am on Friday, with results expected by mid-afternoon, though it could take longer if second preferences need counting.
'It could be close': candidates make final appeals as Greater Manchester goes to the polls
More than two million people can vote in the UK's first-ever mayoral by-election. Bev Craig warns "all indications are that it could be close," while Sian Astley says she wants to "fix the stuff that needs fixing."
Greater Manchester votes tomorrow in the UK's first-ever mayoral by-election: everything you need to know
More than two million people are eligible to vote in the largest by-election in British history. It is the first GM mayoral election without Andy Burnham on the ballot, and the first to use the supplementary vote system since 2021.
Manchester Town Hall Restoration Enters Final Stages Ahead of 2027 Reopening
Scaffolding is coming down as the £524.8 million overhaul of Manchester's Grade I-listed civic centre progresses towards a spring 2027 completion.
Seven candidates confirmed for Greater Manchester mayoral by-election
Voters across Greater Manchester will head to the polls on Thursday, 30 July, to elect a new mayor following Andy Burnham's departure to Westminster.
'I hope it doesn't put costs up': what Manchester really thinks about Number 10 North
Residents are excited but worried about rents and traffic chaos, businesses see opportunity, and one student asks whether the concept will even work without "that civil service machine helping you."
'The Burnham effect dwarfs every other factor': Craig set to win Greater Manchester mayoral race as PM's honeymoon lifts Labour
The latest YouGov poll predicts Bev Craig will beat Reform's Sian Astley 62% to 38% in the second round. Just weeks ago, bookmakers had Reform as slight favourites. The question now is whether Burnham will give his successor more power than he ever had.