Voters in Greater Manchester go to the polls on Thursday in what is described as Britain's biggest ever by-election, choosing a successor to Andy Burnham as mayor of Greater Manchester after he stepped down to become an MP. Labour's Bev Craig, leader of Manchester City Council, is the favourite to win, and the contest is being closely watched as the first electoral test for the party since Burnham became prime minister, in a region where he remains highly popular.

Polling from More in Common suggests Craig will beat Reform's Sian Astley 65 per cent to 35 per cent in a second round under the supplementary voting system, marking the first time the mayoral race has gone beyond round one since she is not expected to secure the 50 per cent needed outright. The Greens and Reform have both made local gains against Labour, with the Greens winning the Gorton and Denton seat and Reform performing strongly in outer boroughs such as Wigan, Bolton and Tameside. Voters interviewed by The Independent, including Kash Haroon and Carol Tallack, cited Craig's experience working alongside Burnham and her authenticity as reasons for backing her, while also raising concerns such as housing and homelessness that they want addressed through concrete investment rather than rhetoric.