Greater Manchester Mayoral Election Results 2026: Winner, Vote Breakdown, and Key Priorities
Full breakdown of the 2026 Greater Manchester mayoral election results, including candidate vote tallies, turnout analysis across 10 boroughs, election system mechanics, and strategic policy priorities for local governance.
Greater Manchester Mayoral Election Results 2026: Winner, Vote Breakdown, and Key Priorities#
The historic 2026 Greater Manchester mayoral by-election marked a pivotal juncture in British regional governance. Triggered by the departure of long-serving Mayor Andy Burnham following his election to Parliament and subsequent rise to national leadership, the contest required over 2.1 million eligible electors across ten metropolitan boroughs to choose a new strategic head for the nation's premier devolved city-region.
Labour Party candidate Bev Craig, former Leader of Manchester City Council, secured victory in the contest. Emerging as the clear leader in initial preference counting, Craig consolidated her advantage during the second-preference allocation under the reinstated Supplementary Vote (SV) system, overcoming a field of six challenging candidates representing Reform UK, the Green Party, the Conservative Party, the Liberal Democrats, Restore Britain, and independent interests.
Key Takeaway: Labour's Bev Craig wins the 2026 Greater Manchester mayoral by-election, maintaining Labour's continuous hold on the Combined Authority executive since the post's creation in 2017. However, the election was characterized by a historic record-low turnout of 25.14%, highlighting growing regional political fatigue and voter detachment.
This comprehensive guide provides an exhaustive breakdown of the final vote tallies, borough-level turnout metrics, electoral mechanics, historical context, and the substantive policy priorities that will define the new Mayor's term through 2028.
Complete 2026 Mayoral By-Election Results and Candidate Breakdown#
The 2026 mayoral election was conducted using the Supplementary Vote (SV) system, which returned to use following legislative updates. Under SV rules, if no candidate achieves an absolute majority (>50%) of first-preference votes, all candidates except the top two are eliminated, and their ballots' second preferences are redistributed to determine the final winner.
Counting took place at the Co-op Live arena in Manchester on Friday, July 31, 2026, following polling across all ten metropolitan districts on Thursday, July 30.
Detailed Analysis of Candidate Performances#
1. Bev Craig (Labour and Co-operative)#
Bev Craig entered the campaign as the established frontrunner due to her high profile as Leader of Manchester City Council since 2021. Her campaign focused heavily on continuing and refining regional devolution, expanding the publicly controlled Bee Network transit model, and building 30,000 net-zero social housing units over the decade. Craig benefited significantly from second-preference transfers, absorbing approximately two-thirds of eliminated Green Party second choices.
2. Sian Niamh Astley (Reform UK)#
Reform UK achieved its highest-ever vote share in a Greater Manchester mayoral contest, advancing to the second round for the first time. Astley ran on a platform targeting central administration spending, advocating for strict local policing metrics, and pushing back against low-emission traffic zones. Astley captured the vast majority of second-preference votes from Restore Britain supporters and a portion of right-leaning Conservative voters.
3. Geraldine Coggins (Green Party)#
Trafford councillor Geraldine Coggins secured a strong third-place finish. The Greens capitalized on dissatisfaction among left-leaning voters, championing expanded active transport infrastructure, retrofitting social housing, and stricter greenbelt protection policies. While Coggins did not make the top-two cutoff, her vote total demonstrated growing Green alignment in core urban centers like Manchester and Trafford.
4. Phil Eckersley (Conservative Party)#
Conservative candidate Phil Eckersley experienced a challenging contest, slipping to fourth place. Historically the principal challenger to Labour in Greater Manchester—having placed second in 2017, 2021, and 2024—the Conservatives suffered from vote fragmentation on the right, as Reform UK and Restore Britain collectively captured nearly 30% of first preferences.
5. Marlon West (Restore Britain) & Minor Candidates#
Former health professional Marlon West represented the populist Restore Britain party, acquiring 8% of first choices by focusing on council tax freezes and Combined Authority administrative reform. Liberal Democrat Richard Kilpatrick focused on youth public transport discounts and mental health funding, while Independent candidate Marcus Farmer campaigned on non-partisan administrative transparency.
Regional Turnout Analysis Across All 10 Greater Manchester Boroughs#
Total turnout across Greater Manchester for the July 2026 by-election was officially recorded at 25.14%, with 538,659 total ballots cast from an eligible voter base of 2,142,779 registered electors. This represents a significant decline compared to prior regional elections.
Important Note: The 25.14% turnout is the lowest recorded participation figure in the history of Greater Manchester mayoral elections, falling below the previous low of 28.9% set during the inaugural contest in 2017 and dropping sharply from the 32.05% recorded in May 2024.
Factors Behind the Low Turnout#
Political analysts and local democracy researchers attribute the sharp contraction in voter participation to four distinct operational and political dynamics:
- Mid-Summer By-Election Timing: Holding a standalone regional election in late July coincided with summer holiday travel and university academic breaks, significantly reducing student voter turnout in Manchester and Salford districts.
- Voter Fatigue: Residents had participated in multiple local council, general, and mayoral cycles over the preceding 24 months, leading to reduced engagement.
- Absence of Concurrent Local Elections: Unlike the May 2024 mayoral election, which coincided with 10 council ward elections, the July 2026 by-election stood alone without local ward campaigns driving grassroots mobilization.
- Perceived Electoral Inevitability: Consistently strong polling leads for Labour candidate Bev Craig throughout the compressed campaign window lowered perceived urgency among both opposition and Labour-supporting bases.
How the Election System Worked: First-Past-The-Post vs. Supplementary Vote#
The 2026 by-election featured the return of the Supplementary Vote (SV) system. SV was previously utilized in the 2017 and 2021 Greater Manchester mayoral elections before central legislative changes temporarily mandated First-Past-The-Post (FPTP) for the May 2024 contest. Subsequent regional governance amendments restored SV for strategic authority elections prior to the 2026 vote.
Mechanics of the Supplementary Vote System#
Under SV, electors receive a ballot paper featuring two distinct columns: First Preference and Second Preference.
Strategic Impact of SV in 2026#
The return of SV heavily influenced candidate strategy and vote dynamics:
- Left-of-Center Consolidation: Labour actively appealed to Green and Liberal Democrat voters for second-preference selections. This strategy succeeded, as over 65% of Green Party first-choice voters designated Labour as their second preference, providing Bev Craig with a decisive victory margin in the final round.
- Right-of-Center Realignment: Reform UK captured the majority of second preferences from Restore Britain and Conservative electors, allowing Sian Astley to comfortably secure second place overall.
Context of the 2026 By-Election: The Transition from Andy Burnham#
The July 2026 contest was triggered by unprecedented national political shifts. Andy Burnham, who served as Mayor of Greater Manchester from May 2017 until June 2026, resigned from the position after winning a Parliamentary by-election in Makerfield.
Comparison: 2024 Mayoral Election vs. 2026 By-Election#
Comparing the results of May 2024 with July 2026 highlights shifts in regional political dynamics:
Greater Manchester Mayor Responsibilities, Powers, and Budget Oversight#
The Mayor of Greater Manchester leads the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA), representing 2.8 million residents across 10 local council areas. The position represents one of the most powerful devolved regional executive roles in the United Kingdom, combining strategic authority governance with direct executive police and fire oversight.
Key Takeaway: The Greater Manchester Mayor exercises direct authority over integrated public transport, strategic spatial planning, housing development funds, adult skills spending, and serves as the region's Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC).
Statutory Portfolios and Core Powers#
1. Transport and the Bee Network#
- Bus Franchising: Complete authority to set bus routes, timetables, service standards, and fare caps across the region via Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM).
- Light Rail Oversight: Strategic and operational leadership of the Metrolink tram network, the largest light rail system in the UK.
- Fares Policy: Direct control over multi-modal ticketing integration, cap limits (such as the £2 single bus fare), and concessionary travel schemes.
2. Public Safety, Policing, and Fire Services#
- Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC): The Mayor exercises all statutory PCC powers for Greater Manchester Police (GMP). Duties include setting the annual police precept, formulating the regional Police and Crime Plan, allocating operational budgets, and appointing or dismissing the Chief Constable.
- Fire and Rescue Authority: Direct executive oversight of the Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS), setting service budgets, appointing senior leadership, and formulating community risk management plans.
3. Spatial Planning, Housing, and Investment#
- Places for Everyone Plan: Strategic oversight of the joint spatial development scheme governing employment land, transport corridors, and greenbelt designations across participating boroughs.
- Devolution Investment Fund: Direct management of a core £30 million annual investment stream guaranteed by central government over a 30-year term (£900 million total).
- Housing Funds: Control over the regional Housing Investment Fund to support brownfield land regeneration and affordable housing construction.
4. Skills, Adult Education, and Social Care Integration#
- Adult Education Budget (AEB): Full devolved control over local adult education funding, directing resources into vocational training, technical apprenticeships, and re-skilling initiatives tailored to regional employer demand.
- Health and Social Care Partnership: Co-commissioning and strategic oversight of integrated NHS and social care budgets devolved to the city-region.
Policy Priorities for the New Mayor (2026–2028 Term)#
Because the July 2026 contest was a by-election triggered midway through an active term, Mayor Bev Craig assumes office for a shortened two-year term lasting until the scheduled May 2028 regional elections. Her administrative platform focuses on three primary policy pillars:
1. Transport Network Modernization#
- Free Youth and Accessibility Transit: Extending concessionary fares on the Bee Network, including targeted proposals for free bus passes for young residents aged 11–18 and expanded subsidies for disabled passengers.
- Rail Integration: Accelerating the integration of suburban commuter rail lines into the Bee Network tap-in/tap-out contactless fare structure by late 2027.
- Metrolink Extensions: Advancing planning approvals for tram line extensions into Stockport and expanded active travel corridors connecting outer boroughs.
2. Housing Quality and Urban Regeneration#
- Good Landlord Charter Enforcement: Implementing mandatory compliance checks under the Greater Manchester Good Landlord Charter to raise private rented sector standards.
- Brownfield Prioritization: Allocating housing investment capital strictly toward brownfield sites to minimize environmental impact on outer-borough greenbelt areas.
- Social Housing Retrofitting: Expanding municipal energy efficiency schemes to lower household utility bills and meet net-zero carbon targets.
3. Economic Rebalancing Across Outer Boroughs#
- Targeted Regional Investment: Utilizing city center commercial tax revenues to fund economic infrastructure in outer boroughs, including Rochdale, Oldham, Wigan, and Bolton.
- Local Skills Pipelines: Aligning Adult Education Budget allocations directly with local growth sectors, such as green technology, advanced manufacturing, digital media, and life sciences.
Frequently Asked Questions#
Who won the 2026 Greater Manchester mayoral election?#
Labour Party candidate Bev Craig, former Leader of Manchester City Council, won the 2026 Greater Manchester mayoral by-election. She secured victory after second-preference vote redistribution under the Supplementary Vote system.
Why was a mayoral election held in Greater Manchester in 2026?#
The by-election was triggered after former Mayor Andy Burnham resigned following his election as the Member of Parliament for Makerfield and subsequent return to Westminster.
What was the voter turnout in the 2026 election?#
Overall voter turnout was 25.14%, with 538,659 ballots cast out of 2,142,779 registered electors. This was the lowest turnout in the history of Greater Manchester mayoral elections.
How does the Supplementary Vote (SV) system work?#
Under the Supplementary Vote system, voters mark both a first and second preference on their ballot. If no candidate achieves over 50% of first-preference votes, all candidates except the top two are eliminated. The second-preference choices from the eliminated ballots are then reallocated to the top two candidates to determine the final winner.
How long will the new Mayor stay in office?#
Because this was a by-election to fill a vacated post, Bev Craig will complete the remaining term running until the next regularly scheduled regional mayoral election in May 2028.
What key powers does the Greater Manchester Mayor hold?#
The Mayor oversees public transport franchising (the Bee Network), sets regional housing and spatial planning strategies, manages a £30 million annual investment fund, controls the adult skills budget, and serves as Police and Crime Commissioner for Greater Manchester Police.
Conclusion and Strategic Takeaways#
The 2026 Greater Manchester mayoral election reaffirmed Labour's electoral strength in the region while highlighting changing dynamics in local voter engagement. While Bev Craig secured a clear mandate to lead the Combined Authority, the record-low turnout of 25.14% underscores the ongoing challenge of maintaining voter participation in standalone regional contests.
Over her initial two-year term, Mayor Craig will face the dual challenge of delivering key commitments—such as expanding public transport integration, driving brownfield housing development, and supporting economic growth across all ten boroughs—while working to build stronger public engagement ahead of the 2028 election cycle.
Frequently Asked Questions
Key answers and clarifications on this topic
