Six candidates hoping to become the next Mayor of Greater Manchester gathered at Chetham's School of Music on Wednesday for a hustings event that revealed a voter base demanding sincerity and practical solutions. The historic venue, founded in 1421 and once a meeting place for Marx and Engels, provided a fitting backdrop for a debate focused on the future of a city region of 3.5 million people.
Candidates Face Tough Questions
The Manchester Evening News received a massive number of advance questions, and the selected ones showed voters were in little mood for political platitudes. Topics ranged from affordable housing and youth services to public transport, immigration, health inequalities, hospitality, policing, and the uneven distribution of investment across the city region. Students asked what the next mayor would do differently from Andy Burnham, while business owners demanded support for struggling family firms and the hospitality sector. Campaigners challenged candidates over affordable housing targets, women's rights, disability access, and the shortage of safe spaces for young people.
Respectful Yet Sharp Exchanges
The debate remained largely respectful, with participants generally listening before responding. However, there were clear dividing lines, particularly on immigration and the implications of the Supreme Court's ruling on biological sex. Marlon West of Restore faced boos when he raised the party's mass deportation policy and again when discussing trans issues. Geraldine Coggins criticised Reform's connections to cryptocurrency, leading to a strenuous debate about immigration.
Candidates' Performances
With only a minute to answer each question, candidates had to make single memorable points. Bev Craig repeatedly returned to Labour's record in Greater Manchester, arguing that delivery matters more than grand promises. Geraldine Coggins consistently brought discussions back to affordable housing, fairness, and the influence of large developers. Sian Astley framed herself as a political outsider and a fixer. Richard Kilpatrick provided a personal moment when he spoke about his late father. Phil Eckersley positioned the Conservatives as a practical alternative to Labour's dominance, while Marlon West focused on accountability in public services.
Voters Demand Straight Answers
The audience reflected Greater Manchester's diversity, and their questions sought practical solutions rather than easy point-scoring. When candidates were asked who they would lend their second preference vote to, they danced around the issue until the Lib Dem candidate answered, saying he would vote for Bev Craig. The audience's audible relief underscored their frustration with evasive answers. As Sarah Lester, MEN editor, quoted George Orwell, insincerity is the root cause of bad writing and bad politics. This room of voters made clear they wanted something different.
A Pivotal Moment for Greater Manchester
With Andy Burnham's likely coronation as Prime Minister set to make Manchester an outer citadel of Whitehall power, the mayoral election takes on added significance. The debates held within Chetham's historic walls may well shape political history again. The clear conclusion from the hustings: Greater Manchester voters want candidates willing to risk being sincere.
