Labour’s Bev Craig has won the race to become Andy Burnham’s successor as the new mayor of Greater Manchester.
Because no candidate won more than 50 per cent of first choice votes, the ballot papers of the eliminated candidates were counted again, and Ms Craig was victorious with 309,525 total votes.
More than two million people were eligible to vote in the contest, triggered by Mr Burnham’s election as MP for Makerfield last month - putting him on the path to assume the leadership of the Labour Party.
However, only one in four eligible voters cast a ballot - the lowest figure of the four Greater Manchester mayoral races to be held. It is also the first of those elections to go to a second round.
Polling before the vote suggested Labour candidate Ms Craig, currently the leader of Manchester City Council and an ally of Mr Burnham’s, was on course to win by a comfortable margin.
Read MoreWho is Bev Craig? Meet Andy Burnham’s ‘protégé’ who hopes to succeed him
Why we are all performative northerners now
Key Points
- Bev Craig has been elected Greater Manchester mayor
- Greater Manchester mayoral results in full
- Bev Craig: Andy Burnham’s ‘protégé’ who wants to be more powerful than he was
Watch: Bev Craig's speech after winning Greater Manchester mayoral election
00:00 , Alex CroftLabour's Bev Craig is the new Mayor for Greater Manchester @bevcraig - good luck!
— Farrukh (@implausibleblog) July 31, 2026
"I never believed as a girl growing up in a council estate that one day I would have the chance to stand for the place that I love, the place in this world that I'm proud to call home, and to offer… pic.twitter.com/ns4a109Xja
The results in full
23:10 , Joe MiddletonSian Astley (Reform): 157,178 (first and second preference votes)
Geraldine Coggins (Green): 64,968
Bev Craig (Labour): 309,525 (first and second preference votes)
Phil Eckersley (Conservative): 41,021
Marcus Farmer (Independent): 2,969
Richard Kilpatrick (Liberal Democrats): 14,702
Marlon West (Restore Britain):46,289
Breaking News
23:04 , Joe MiddletonLabour have won the Greater Manchester mayoral election.
Bev Craig, a close protege of Andy Burnham’s, has fended off a challenge from Reform and the Greens.
Declaration expected soon
22:38 , Dan HaygarthReporters at the count have been told we can expect a declaration soon. Hold tight.
Labour believe they won north of 40 per cent of first round
21:33 , Dan HaygarthThe Independent understands that Labour believe they secured more than 40 per cent of first round votes, leaving Bev Craig short of the 50 per cent required to win the election in one round.
Bev Craig and Sian Astley mill around counting floor
20:59 , Dan Haygarth
First time that a GM mayoral election has gone into a second round
20:35 , Dan HaygarthFor this, by-election, voting changed back to the “supplementary vote” (SV) system used in the mayoral elections in 2017 and 2021, whereas 2024 was first-past-the-post.
If any candidate wins more than 50 per cent of the first-choice votes, they are declared the winner.
If no candidate has more than 50 per cent of first-choice votes, all but the top two candidates are eliminated and the count moves to a second round.
Mr Burnham did not require a second round to win his two SV elections, winning them both with more than 60 per cent of first-choice votes.
Second round counting continues into the evening
20:20 , Dan Haygarth
Rupert Lowe claims Restore 'won tens of thousands of votes'
19:59 , Harriette BoucherSecond place vote counting ongoing
19:48 , Dan HaygarthSecond preference votes from the city of Manchester are being counted here at the Co-op Live arena, to find a winner between Labour’s Bev Craig and Sian Astley of Reform.
As no candidate won more than 50 per cent of first choice votes, all but the top two candidates have been eliminated and the count moves to a second round.
The ballot papers of the eliminated candidates are counted again and if there are any second-choice votes for the two remaining candidates, these are added to their first-choice totals.
Today’s counting has already been a long-winded process, with verification of ballots beginning at 9:30am.
We may be here for a while as the candidate with the highest overall total of first and second-choice votes across the ten boroughs is found.
Stay with us.
Ballots are sorted for the second count of votes
19:43 , Harriette Boucher
Who are the remaining two candidates in the Greater Manchester by-election?
19:33 , Harriette BoucherLabour’s Bev Craig and Reform UK’s Sian Astley are the remaining candidates in the Greater Manchester by-election.
Ms Craig, who has been described as Andy Burnham’s “protégé”, has been leader of Manchester City Council since 2021.
She is the first female and first LGBTQ+ leader of the local authority and is the combined authority member for economy, business, and inclusive growth.
Sian Astley was elected as a councillor for the Baguley ward on Manchester City Council in May 2026.
She is a professional landlord and also runs an interior design and property renovation business in Manchester.
The five eliminated candidates are Geraldine Coggins (Green), Phil Eckersley (Conservative), Marcus Farmer (Independent), Richard Kilpatrick (Liberal Democrats) and Marlon West (Restore Britain).
Greater Manchester by-election goes to second round
19:03 , Dan HaygarthThe Greater Manchester mayoral election will go to a second round, with Labour’s Bev Craig and Reform UK’s Sian Astley proceeding into the next stage.
For the by-election, voting changed back to the “supplementary vote” (SV) system used in the mayoral elections in 2017 and 2021 - which gives voters a first and second choice.
As no candidate won more than 50 per cent of first choice votes, all but the top two candidates have been eliminated and the count moves to a second round.
The ballot papers of the eliminated candidates are counted again and if there are any second-choice votes for the two remaining candidates, these are added to their first-choice totals.
The candidate with the highest overall total of first and second-choice votes is declared the winner.
In 2021, the last time Greater Manchester was contested under the SV system, Mr Burnham won in the first round with 67 per cent of first preference votes.
But more counting is to come here at the Co-op Live as we find out who will succeed the now-prime minister as mayor.
Nigel Farage plummets to lowest approval level since election in new poll
18:35 , Harriette BoucherExclusive Ipsos polling seen by The Independent along with a More in Common poll have both revealed that Mr Farage’s approval rating has hit an all time low of -32 per cent as new prime minister Andy Burnham soars into the lead.
Nigel Farage plummets to lowest approval level since election in new poll
In the Room: Why Zack Polanski keeps making the same mistake
18:18 , Dan HaygarthAfter another online row, Helen MacNamara and Cleo Watson discuss whether the Greens are struggling to adapt to life in the political mainstream. Maja Anushka reports.
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Why Zack Polanski keeps making the same mistake
Turnout by district
18:00 , Dan Haygarth
What Andy Burnham’s new tax sharing plans could mean for your region
17:44 , Dan HaygarthMayors in England will get to keep a share of taxes collected in their regions to “bring power home” to communities, Andy Burnham has announced.
Mayors will receive a share of income tax revenues for the first time under the plans, which the government has described as the “biggest transfer of power from Westminster in a generation”.
Further details on the exact funding settlements are yet to be laid out, but the shift has the potential power to hand billions to mayoral authorities across England.
This would inevitably be rebalanced with a reduction in the level of grants given to local leadership by central government. But it would also come with more freedom over the spending, which Mr Burnham says will enable mayors to “improve public transport, build homes and create jobs.”
Read more below:
What Andy Burnham’s new tax sharing plans could mean for your region
We are still waiting for results
17:33 , Dan HaygarthThe Independent understands the first round of counting has finished here in Manchester, but we are waiting for other boroughs, whose counts are taking place elsewhere, to finish.
Government announces date of 2026 Budget
17:10 , Dan HaygarthWho is Bev Craig? Meet Andy Burnham’s ‘protégé’ who hopes to succeed him
16:49 , Dan HaygarthRead our profile of the woman expected to win this election:
Who is Bev Craig? Meet Andy Burnham’s ‘protégé’ who hopes to succeed him
We are waiting (patiently) for a result
16:30 , Dan HaygarthWe are still waiting for news of a first round result here in the hall at Co-op Live. Voters get a first and second choice here and if a candidate wins more than 50 per cent of the first preference votes, they win the election.
If no candidate crosses that mark, then a second round begins.
All but the top two candidates are eliminated and the ballot papers of the eliminated candidates are counted again and if there are any second-choice votes for the two remaining candidates, these are added to their first-choice totals.
Labour enjoying 'Burnham bounce' nationally as Bev Craig expected to win here
16:04 , Dan HaygarthWestminster Voting Intention:
— electionmapsuk (@electionmapsuk) July 31, 2026
LAB: 28% (+5)
RFM: 23% (-4)
CON: 20% (=)
LDM: 10% (-1)
GRN: 10% (-3)
SNP: 3% (=)
Via @BMGResearch, 28-30 Jul.
Changes w/ 23-25 Jun.
‘I’m fairly confident that he’s over’: Readers debate Nigel Farage’s future as his popularity plummets
15:56 , Dan Haygarth
‘I’m fairly confident that he’s over’: Readers react to Farage’s poll collapse
'Abysmal' turnout is 'damning indictment' of our democracy, campaign group says
15:41 , Dan HaygarthTurnout at the Greater Manchester mayoral by-election is a “damning indictment of our broken democratic system”, campaigners for compulsory voting have said.
Charles White, of the Campaign for Compulsory Voting, said: “Greater Manchester’s abysmal turnout is a damning indictment of our broken democratic system.
“It’s clear media coverage, voting reform and stronger mayoral powers aren’t enough. Turnout just remains stubbornly low.
“The Government has a golden opportunity to introduce Australian-style compulsory voting. Further devolution must go hand in hand with driving up turnout or risk facing a democratic crisis.”
Budget date set
15:35 , Dan HaygarthIn important news for the victor in this election, John Healey has announced he will deliver his first budget as chancellor on 28 October, pledging to move “money and power out of Westminster”.
Announcing the date of the budget on Friday, Mr Healey promised plans would be “built on fiscal discipline”.
He said the budget would “meet our fiscal rules” and “give businesses and families some of the stability they need to plan for the future”.
Looking back at Andy Burnham’s first two weeks as prime minister, Mr Healey said the new government was “working fast to restore hope and back Britain’s communities” and had “begun to kickstart growth in every postcode”.
But he will face significant challenges as he finds more money for Mr Burnham’s devolution priorities and increased defence spending amid warnings the Iran war will further squeeze the public finances.
Turnouts and results of GM elections
15:14 , Dan Haygarth2017 - 28.9 per cent turnout, Burnham wins with 63.4 per cent of the vote
2021 - 34.7 per cent turnout, Burnham wins with 67.3 per cent of the vote
2024 - 32 per cent turnout, Burnham wins with 63.4 per cent of the vote
2026 - 25.1 per cent turnout
How did we get here?
14:23 , Dan HaygarthAndy Burnham won his third term as Greater Manchester mayor in 2024, due to run until 2028. However, his victory in June’s parliamentary by-election in Makerfield meant the position of role became vacant and triggered the first mayoral by-election in this region.
Below, we have the inside story of Mr Burnham’s return to parliament and rise to prime minister:
Inside Burnham’s roundabout route to No 10, according to those who know him best
25.14% total turnout across Greater Manchester
14:01 , Dan Haygarth538,659 people casted votes in this election, out of Greater Manchester’s electorate of 2.14m.
That is a 25.14 per cent turnout, the lowest it has ever been in a mayoral race in this city region. The previous low was 2017 - the first ever election - which had 28.9 per cent turnout.
Ballots have been verified and counting proper will begin now.
22.73% turnout in the city of Manchester
13:46 , Dan HaygarthIt has just been announced at the count that 92,408 people in the city of Manchester (one of the ten districts of Greater Manchester) voted. That is a very low turnout of 22.73 per cent.
For comparison, the turnout across Greater Manchester in the 2024 mayoral election was 32 per cent.
Burnham: Devolution will 'empower forgotten places'
13:19 , Dan HaygarthAs Greater Manchester mayor, Andy Burnham was a vocal advocate for devolution.
Today, as prime minister, he said Britain’s “forgotten places” could feel “empowered” by his announcement that English mayors will be able to keep more of the tax raised in their regions.
Speaking on a visit to the Meadow Family Centre in Shirecliffe, Sheffield, he said: “This is a day when all of the forgotten places across Britain – and there are many of them – this is a day when they can all feel heard today.
“And they can feel empowered today and they can know from today that they will have more in their hands to go out and do more to lift their places up.
“That’s what this is all about and that’s why I’m so proud to be standing in front of you today to announce that.”
As counting determines who succeeds him in Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham has been in Sheffield to announce his latest devolution plans
12:56 , Dan Haygarth
Exit poll puts Labour's Bev Craig at 41 per cent of vote
12:45 , Nicole Wootton-CaneAn exit poll has put Labour’s candidate Bev Craig at the top of the pile in Manchester with 41 per cent of the vote share.
However, if she does not achieve 50 per cent of the vote share, as the poll suggests, the count will move to a second round where second-choice votes are counted.
The exit poll puts Ms Craig at 64 per cent in the second round.
The candidate with the highest overall total of first and second-choice votes is declared the winner.
Greater Manchester Mayoral By-Election 'Exit Poll':
— electionmapsuk (@electionmapsuk) July 31, 2026
Craig | LAB: 41% (+3)
Astley | RFM: 22% (+3)
Coggins | GRN: 15% (-7)
Eckersley | CON: 9% (+1)
West | RES: 8% (-1)
Kilpatrick | LDM: 5% (+2)
Farmer | Ind: 0% (-1)
Via @FindoutnowUK, 30 Jul.
Changes w/ 7-12 Jul.
Co-op Live filled with journalists as vote verification continues
12:31 , Nicole Wootton-CaneThe Independent’s Dan Haygarth reports from Manchester:
I’m at the Co-op Live concert arena, where the votes from the city of Manchester are being verified - and where Greater Manchester’s next mayor will be announced later today.
Verification began at 9.30 - and the votes in the nine other council areas which make up the Greater Manchester Combined Authority are being counted in their respective districts, before the result is declared here.
Volunteers stationed at counting tables have taken over the arena’s floor, usually occupied by concert goers, while journalists make their way around the seats.
There is plenty of space for them - this venue can hold 23,500 people, making it the biggest arena in the UK.
We understand that a result should not be expected before around 2pm - and it could be into the afternoon and evening if the election, which is decided by the supplementary vote system, goes into a second round.
Two of Andy Burnham’s three mayoral elections were held under this system and he won both of them in the first round, but polls predict it may take a second round to decide a winner, with Labour’s Bev Craig the likely next mayor.
In pictures: Counting underway in Manchester
12:31 , Nicole Wootton-Cane.jpeg)
Nigel Farage plummets to lowest approval level since election in new poll
12:00 , Nicole Wootton-CaneNigel Farage’s approval rating has hit its lowest level since the 2024 general election, according to a new poll, in the latest evidence that Reform UK is on the verge of seeing its support collapse.
According to More in Common’s latest approval rating for party leaders, Mr Farage has plummeted to -32 per cent, a drop of around 10 points in just two weeks.
Meanwhile, new prime minister Andy Burnham has hit +19 per cent as he continues to benefit from the momentum built during his first few days in office.
His approval rating outranks the high of +11 achieved by Sir Keir Starmer shortly after taking office in summer 2024.
You can read more below:
Nigel Farage plummets to lowest approval level since election in new poll
Politics explained: If the drought gets political, will Andy Burnham do a rain dance for TikTok?
11:30 , Nicole Wootton-CaneIn 1976, Labour was forced to appoint a ‘minister for drought’ – and the results were surprising. Sean O’Grady looks at how this summer’s extreme weather could become a political hot potato.
If the drought gets political, will Andy Burnham do a rain dance for TikTok?
Andy Burnham's vote share in 2024
11:00 , Nicole Wootton-CaneMayors allowed to keep share of taxes collected in their area as part of Burnham’s devolution revolution
10:42 , Nicole Wootton-CaneEnglish mayors will be allowed to keep a share of the taxes collected in their area, Andy Burnham has said as part of his pledge to “take power out of Westminster and carry it into every postcode in the country”.
The prime minister’s plans to let mayors keep a slice of income tax and business rates come as part of his bid to incentivise regional leaders to promote economic growth in different parts of the UK.
However, the plan falls short of the suggestion that he would allow mayors to raise taxes themselves by devolving control over income tax, as it has been handed to the Scottish and Welsh parliaments.
You can read more below:
English mayors allowed to keep share of taxes collected in their area
How did Andy Burnham fare in Manchester's past mayoral elections?
10:08 , Nicole Wootton-CanePrime minister Andy Burnham stepped down from his role as mayor of Greater Manchester after winning the Makerfield by-election in June.
He previously held the role since 2017, coming first in all ten areas of the region in each election he stood in.
In 2017 he won 63 per cent of the vote, in 2021 his vote share increased slightly to 67.3 per cent, and in 2024 he received 63.4 per cent.
Vote counting begins in Manchester
09:38 , Nicole Wootton-CaneVote counting is now underway in Manchester, with seven candidates on the ballot paper.
They are, in alphabetical order: Sian Astley (Reform), Geraldine Coggins (Green), Bev Craig (Labour), Phil Eckersley (Conservative), Marcus Farmer (Independent), Richard Kilpatrick (Liberal Democrats) and Marlon West (Restore Britain).
Results are not expected before the afternoon.
We will bring you the latest as it happens.
How this election's supplementary vote system works
08:52 , Dan HaygarthThe cost of the contest is expected run into the millions, with the 2024 mayoral election costing the taxpayer £4.7 million.
That contest saw Andy Burnham re-elected with 63 per cent of the vote under the “first past the post” system, in which the candidate with the most votes is declared the winner.
He also received the most votes in each of Greater Manchester’s 10 local authority areas.
For Thursday’s by-election, voting changed back to the “supplementary vote” (SV) system used in the mayoral elections in 2017 and 2021.
If any candidate wins more than 50 per cent of the first-choice votes, they are declared the winner.
If no candidate has more than 50 per cent of first-choice votes, all but the top two candidates are eliminated and the count moves to a second round.
The ballot papers of the eliminated candidates are counted again and if there are any second-choice votes for the two remaining candidates, these are added to their first-choice totals.
The candidate with the highest overall total of first and second-choice votes is declared the winner.
In 2021, the last time Greater Manchester was contested under the SV system, Mr Burnham won in the first round with 67 per cent of first preference votes.
Greens say Labour voters have moved across 'in their droves'
08:42 , Dan HaygarthGreen Party candidate Geraldine Coggins said her party had seen “former Labour voters move to the Greens in droves” and shown it could “challenge the larger parties”.
She said: “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, and the people want a change of direction.
“This includes clear commitments on rent controls, affordable housing and to make sure people are put before profit.”
Bev Craig: Andy Burnham’s ‘protégé’ who wants to be more powerful than he was
08:33 , Dan HaygarthRead our profile of Labour’s candidate below:
Bev Craig: Burnham’s ‘protégé’ hoping to be more powerful than he was
Labour 'on the front foot', Lucy Powell says
08:30 , Dan HaygarthAfter voting finished on Thursday, Labour deputy leader Lucy Powell said her party had run “a really positive campaign” and been “on the front foot, setting out our stall, showing what Labour in power can do”.
She said: “Through our candidate Bev Craig and our new Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, we have heard from many people who are giving Labour another look. Labour is offering hope.
“If the voters of Greater Manchester put their trust in Labour, we will all work tirelessly to put Bev’s promises into action.”
What time will the Greater Manchester mayoral election results be announced and is there an exit poll?
08:29 , Dan Haygarth
When will Manchester mayoral election results be announced and is there an exit poll?
