Greater Manchester mayoral election: Voters head to polls to choose successor

Thousands of voters across Greater Manchester are heading to the polls to elect a new mayor, succeeding Andy Burnham who became PM. Seven candidates are standing. The result will be announced on Friday.

Brit Brief 30/07/2026 06:10

Greater Manchester mayoral election: Voters head to polls to choose successor — Greater Manchester mayoral election: Voters head to polls

Voters across Greater Manchester's ten boroughs are going to the polls today (Thursday, July 30) to choose the region's next mayor. The mayor has a direct say over setting budgets and priorities for public services, and over future matters such as transport, housing, policing and many other issues affecting more than three million people.

Voting underway

Campaigning has been underway for weeks, with seven candidates hoping to become Andy Burnham's successor. Burnham, now Prime Minister, served as mayor of Greater Manchester from 2017, when the role was created. He returned to Parliament as an MP in June before becoming PM earlier this month.

The result of the election will be known on Friday (July 30).

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The candidates

The seven candidates running in the 2026 GM Mayoral by-election are: Sian Niamh Astley – Reform UK; Geraldine Coggins – Green Party; Bev Craig – Labour and Co-operative Party; Phil Eckersley – Conservative and Unionist Party; Marcus Jonathan Farmer – Independent; Richard Martin Kilpatrick – Liberal Democrats; Marlon Scott West – Restore Britain.