Labour’s Bev Craig and Reform UK’s Sian Astley will go head-to-head in a second round as the race to find Andy Burnham’s successor as Greater Manchester mayor continues.
Because no candidate won more than 50 per cent of first choice votes, the ballot papers of the eliminated candidates will be counted again, and any second-choice votes for the two remaining candidates will be added to their first-choice totals.
More than two million people were eligible to vote in the contest, triggered by Mr Burnham’s election as MP for Makerfield last month – putting him on the path to assume the leadership of the Labour Party.
However, only one in four eligible voters cast a ballot – the lowest figure of the four Greater Manchester mayoral races to be held.
Polling before the vote suggested Labour candidate Ms Craig, currently the leader of Manchester City Council and an ally of Mr Burnham’s, was on course to win by a comfortable margin.
Greater Manchester by-election goes to second round
The Greater Manchester mayoral election will go to a second round, with Labour’s Bev Craig and Reform UK’s Sian Astley proceeding into the next stage.
For the by-election, voting changed back to the “supplementary vote” (SV) system used in the mayoral elections in 2017 and 2021 – which gives voters a first and second choice.
As no candidate won more than 50 per cent of first choice votes, all but the top two candidates have been eliminated and the count moves to a second round.
The ballot papers of the eliminated candidates are counted again and if there are any second-choice votes for the two remaining candidates, these are added to their first-choice totals.
The candidate with the highest overall total of first and second-choice votes is declared the winner.
In 2021, the last time Greater Manchester was contested under the SV system, Mr Burnham won in the first round with 67 per cent of first preference votes.
But more counting is to come here at the Co-op Live as we find out who will succeed the now-prime minister as mayor.
Dan Haygarth31 July 2026 19:03
Nigel Farage plummets to lowest approval level since election in new poll
Exclusive Ipsos polling seen by The Independent along with a More in Common poll have both revealed that Mr Farage’s approval rating has hit an all time low of -32 per cent as new prime minister Andy Burnham soars into the lead.
Nigel Farage plummets to lowest approval level since election in new poll
Exclusive Ipsos polling seen by The Independent along with a More in Common poll have both revealed that Mr Farage’s approval rating has hit an all time low of -32 per cent as new prime minister Andy Burnham soars into the leadHarriette Boucher31 July 2026 18:35
In the Room: Why Zack Polanski keeps making the same mistake
After another online row, Helen MacNamara and Cleo Watson discuss whether the Greens are struggling to adapt to life in the political mainstream. Maja Anushka reports.
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Why Zack Polanski keeps making the same mistake
After another online row, Helen MacNamara and Cleo Watson discuss whether the Greens are struggling to adapt to life in the political mainstream. Maja Anushka reportsDan Haygarth31 July 2026 18:18
Turnout by district
Dan Haygarth31 July 2026 18:00
What Andy Burnham’s new tax sharing plans could mean for your region
Mayors in England will get to keep a share of taxes collected in their regions to “bring power home” to communities, Andy Burnham has announced.
Mayors will receive a share of income tax revenues for the first time under the plans, which the government has described as the “biggest transfer of power from Westminster in a generation”.
Further details on the exact funding settlements are yet to be laid out, but the shift has the potential power to hand billions to mayoral authorities across England.
This would inevitably be rebalanced with a reduction in the level of grants given to local leadership by central government. But it would also come with more freedom over the spending, which Mr Burnham says will enable mayors to “improve public transport, build homes and create jobs.”
Read more below:
What Andy Burnham’s new tax sharing plans could mean for your region
London could receive more than £2 billion extra under the plansDan Haygarth31 July 2026 17:44
We are still waiting for results
The Independent understands the first round of counting has finished here in Manchester, but we are waiting for other boroughs, whose counts are taking place elsewhere, to finish.
Dan Haygarth31 July 2026 17:33
Government announces date of 2026 Budget
Dan Haygarth31 July 2026 17:10
Who is Bev Craig? Meet Andy Burnham’s ‘protégé’ who hopes to succeed him
Read our profile of the woman expected to win this election:
Who is Bev Craig? Meet Andy Burnham’s ‘protégé’ who hopes to succeed him
Labour’s candidate for the Greater Manchester mayoral election tells The Independent how she plans to be different to Andy Burnham, and what she would demand from him if she winsDan Haygarth31 July 2026 16:49
We are waiting (patiently) for a result
We are still waiting for news of a first round result here in the hall at Co-op Live. Voters get a first and second choice here and if a candidate wins more than 50 per cent of the first preference votes, they win the election.
If no candidate crosses that mark, then a second round begins.
All but the top two candidates are eliminated and the ballot papers of the eliminated candidates are counted again and if there are any second-choice votes for the two remaining candidates, these are added to their first-choice totals.
Dan Haygarth31 July 2026 16:30
Labour enjoying ‘Burnham bounce’ nationally as Bev Craig expected to win here
Dan Haygarth31 July 2026 16:04NewerOlder