Labour's Bev Craig leads polls in Greater Manchester mayoral by-election to replace PM Burnham

Published Jul 30, 11:50 AM UTC

Labour is expected to win the Greater Manchester mayoral by-election, the largest in British political history, as voters choose a successor to Andy Burnham who became Prime Minister. Labour candidate Bev Craig, current Manchester City Council leader, leads polls with 38% against Reform UK's Sian Niamh Astley at 24%, with Greens at 17%. The election uses a supplementary voting system where if no candidate gets over 50% of first-choice votes, a second round between top two candidates occurs. Despite early predictions of a close race with Reform, analysts say Labour's position has strengthened due to recent Westminster events. The winner controls a £3 billion budget and significant powers over housing, health, policing, and transport. The result carries national implications for Labour's ability to hold off Green and Reform challenges.