Voters across Greater Manchester are casting their ballots on Thursday to elect a new mayor for the region, a significant political role in English governance. The election follows the departure of Andy Burnham, who resigned as mayor to pursue a seat in the UK Parliament, having been elected to the Makerfield by-election last month.
Labour's candidate to succeed Burnham is Bev Craig, the current leader of Manchester City Council. Craig faces a competitive landscape, as the Labour party's support varies across the nine boroughs of Greater Manchester. This regional divergence was highlighted in the 2016 Brexit referendum, where eight of the ten boroughs voted to leave the European Union, potentially offering an opening for parties such as Reform UK.
Burnham, who has held the position since its inception in 2017, was re-elected twice, consistently outpolling his party and securing majorities in all boroughs. He even managed to defeat a Conservative opponent in their home territory in 2017.
Craig has experience stepping into significant leadership roles, having succeeded Sir Richard Leese, who served as leader of Manchester City Council for over 25 years. Leese's tenure encompassed major events like the 2002 Commonwealth Games and periods of significant urban development in Manchester.
The mayoral role in Greater Manchester holds considerable influence, with only the Prime Minister and the Mayor of London wielding more power within English politics. The outcome of this election will shape the future leadership and direction of the city region.