The race to replace Andy Burnham as Greater Manchester mayor is heating up, with five candidates confirmed and a poll suggesting it is a close contest between Labour and Reform. The election on July 30 comes after Burnham's term was cut short when he won the Makerfield by-election on June 18, widely expected to lead to him becoming Prime Minister by the end of the summer.
The mayor wields enormous influence across the ten boroughs, overseeing major planning developments, transport infrastructure like the Bee Network, housing, waste disposal, health, social care, policing, and unemployment. The Manchester Evening News spoke to voters in Stockport to find out what they would do if they were in charge.
Transport Tops the Agenda
Transport was the most common issue raised. Laura Robinson, enduring 32-degree heat, said: "Please can we just have air con everywhere in schools, more of the shops, children's facilities. It is just so hot and it's so hard when you have a little one and you have nowhere you can go." She also called for better transport links like London's Tube network, connecting people to York, Leeds, and Liverpool across the north.
Steve Marsh said there needed to be investment in transport, including bringing the Metrolink to Stockport. Jamie Haigherty said if trains were brought under greater public control, it would solve many issues. He described a recent journey from Rochdale: "Half the trains were cancelled for the day because of the hot weather. It was just absolute pandemonium and the trains are just disgusting really. I can't imagine what it's like for the commuters that have to use that service every day twice a day."
By 2030, 96 railway stations could come under public control, and the Didsbury tramline is expected to be extended to Stockport under current plans, though no route has been published yet.
Housing and High Streets Need Attention
Despite thousands of homes being built across the region, people felt not enough are social or affordable. One resident, Jean, said people cannot afford them "on your average Joe Bloggs wage" and pointed out that Burnham had promised to end rough sleeping when elected. Kevin Walsh wanted more investment in high streets and more done to tackle antisocial behaviour, saying: "There needs to be better police enforcement to crack down on shops getting damaged day in and day out as a result of crime. It's everywhere now."
Others wanted Manchester's Piccadilly Gardens' reported antisocial behaviour and drug problems to be sorted out as a priority.
Regeneration and Vision for the Future
Stockport has seen major changes following investment in the Underbanks area, Weir Mill, and the Stockport Interchange, described as a 'gold rush' and compared to Berlin. Toby James said if elected: "I would take what they have done with Stockport and expand that out – what they have done in the Underbanks preserving the heritage where you can and installing new businesses in it so they fit into the area rather than demolishing old buildings rather than generic tower blocks. There's so many skyscrapers in Manchester but it's not very charming."
The five candidates announced so far are: Manchester City Council leader Bev Craig (Labour), Trafford councillor Geraldine Coggins (Green), councillor Richard Kilpatrick (Liberal Democrats), campaigner Marlon West (Restore Britain), and George Galloway (Workers Party of Great Britain).
