- Reform UK and Labour have gone through to the second round of voting in the Greater Manchester Mayoral by-election.
- Neither Labour's Bev Craig nor Reform UK's Sian Astley managed to secure a majority, meaning voters' second choice ballots will now be counted to decide an overall winner.
- Five candidates have now been eliminated from the contest to become Greater Manchester mayor.
- The by-election is using a voting system called supplementary vote (SV), which requires candidates to secure more than 50% of the first-choice votes to win.
- Votes from the by-election on Thursday, 30 July, have been counted all through the day, with the result expected to be declared on Friday evening.
- The turnout for this by-election was just 25.14%, significantly lower than the 32% turnout in the May 2024 election.
- Charles White, of the Campaign for Compulsory Voting, criticized the low turnout, calling it a damning indictment of the democratic system.
- This by-election is the first time a by-election has been necessary to fill a vacancy for one of England's combined authority mayors.
Labour's Bev Craig and Reform UK's Sian Astley are set to compete in the second round of the Greater Manchester mayoral by-election after neither candidate achieved a majority in the first round. The election saw a turnout of just 25.14%, the lowest since the mayoral role was established in 2017, with 538,659 verified ballots cast.1246
The by-election, necessitated by the departure of former mayor Andy Burnham, utilized a supplementary voting system where voters select a first and second choice. With five candidates eliminated, the remaining two will now have their second-choice votes counted to determine the winner.3
Charles White from the Campaign for Compulsory Voting criticized the turnout, calling it a “damning indictment of our broken democratic system”. He emphasized the need for compulsory voting to enhance participation and prevent a democratic crisis.7
Craig, who serves as deputy mayor for economy, expressed optimism about Labour's campaign, stating, “Labour is offering hope”. In contrast, Astley noted the long-standing dominance of Labour in Manchester, suggesting a shift in voter sentiment.
The results from the first round have not yet been disclosed, but the counting of second-choice votes is underway, with the final outcome expected soon.
The by-election represents a significant electoral test for Labour under Burnham's leadership, highlighting the party's challenges in maintaining support in its traditional stronghold.
“Turnout was just 25.14% (538,659 verified ballots), the lowest in the four Greater Manchester mayoral elections, and campaigners for compulsory voting called it a 'damning indictment of our broken democratic system.' The winner will replace now-Prime Minister Andy Burnham, in the first by-election to fill a vacancy for an English combined authority mayor.”
BBC
