- The Greater Manchester mayoral race has gone to a second round between Labour and Reform after no one secured more than half of first preference votes.
- Labour’s Bev Craig will face Sian Astley, leader of the Reform group on the same council.
- Under the supplementary voting system, if a candidate does not secure over 50% of the vote on the first count, all but the top two candidates are eliminated and the second preference votes from people who did not support either of the top two candidates are counted.
- YouGov’s voter intention poll suggested Labour would reach 62% on second preferences, securing a clear victory over Reform’s 38%.
- Turnout was announced earlier today as 25% of the eligible electorate across the combined authority.
- Counting has been taking place in what has been described as the largest by-election in British history – the race to replace Andy Burnham as Mayor of Greater Manchester.
The Greater Manchester mayoral election has entered a second round, with Labour's Bev Craig facing off against Reform's Sian Astley. This election is notable for being described as the largest by-election in British history, following a first round where no candidate achieved the required 50% of votes.26
Cllr Craig, who has been the leader of Manchester City Council since 2021 and a close ally of Prime Minister Andy Burnham, will now rely on second preference votes to secure her position. Under the supplementary voting system, if no candidate receives over half the votes initially, the top two candidates proceed to a second round where additional preferences are counted.3
A recent YouGov poll indicates that Labour is projected to receive 62% of second preference votes, while Reform is expected to garner 38%. The turnout for this election was reported at 25% of the eligible electorate across the combined authority, highlighting the significant public interest in this pivotal race.5
As the counting continues, the implications of this election extend beyond local governance, potentially influencing broader political dynamics in the UK.
“Turnout was 25% of the eligible electorate, with YouGov projecting Labour to secure 62% of second preferences to Reform’s 38%. The contest will choose Andy Burnham’s successor as mayor, and Craig, his key ally, has led Manchester City Council since 2021.”
