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.
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Polls have closed in the Greater Manchester mayoral by-election after thousands of people across the region's 10 boroughs cast their votes to choose Andy Burnham's successor.
No exit poll was conducted. The count is expected to begin at around 9am on Friday at Co-op Live, with a result anticipated by mid-afternoon. However, it could be later in the day if the contest goes to a second round of counting.
The by-election uses the supplementary vote system, meaning voters selected a first and second preference. If no candidate wins more than 50% of first-preference votes, all but the top two are eliminated and second preferences are redistributed.
The latest YouGov poll, published on July 17 and based on 2,200 Greater Manchester residents, put Labour's Bev Craig on 38% of first preferences, Reform UK's Sian Astley on 24%, and the Green Party's Geraldine Coggins on 17%. It predicted Craig would beat Astley 62% to 38% in the second round.
The same poll found 66% of Greater Mancunians believe Burnham did a good job as mayor, including 55% of the region's 2024 Conservative voters. And by 44% to 31%, residents think Burnham was right to step down and return to Westminster.
What did the Greens say?
Coggins issued a statement as polls closed: "We've seen former Labour voters move to the Greens in droves. A new prime minister who is popular in this region meant that we were contesting this election in unusual circumstances. However, we found real discontent across Greater Manchester with how Labour have been running this place."
She added: "If Andy Burnham really wants to change the way the country has been run for the past 40 years, so-called Manchesterism will only deliver more shiny buildings but no impact on the cost of living."
What powers will the new mayor have?
The winner will oversee transport, housing, policing and budgets across the region. In a
Frequently Asked Questions
- When will the Greater Manchester mayoral election results be announced?
- Counting begins at 9am on Friday at Co-op Live, with a final result expected by mid-afternoon. This could be delayed if second-preference votes need to be counted.
- Why is there a mayoral by-election in Greater Manchester?
- The by-election was triggered after former mayor Andy Burnham stepped down following his election as the MP for Makerfield in June, before subsequently becoming Prime Minister.
- How does the supplementary voting system work?
- Voters select a first and second choice. If no candidate gets over 50 per cent of first-choice votes, the top two advance, and second-choice votes from eliminated candidates are added to their totals.