Overview
- Geraldine Coggins was formally named by the Green Party on Saturday as its candidate to replace Andy Burnham in the mayoral by‑election.
- The by‑election was triggered by Burnham's return to Parliament and is scheduled for July 30 on a compressed timetable that has accelerated candidate selection.
- Labour has opened its selection process with Manchester council leader Bev Craig reported as the favourite while Reform UK has not finalised a pick, with media reports naming Dan Barker as a likely contender.
- Green leader Zack Polanski has pitched the contest as a straight fight between Greens and Reform, a claim Labour rejects by calling the race a two‑horse contest between itself and Reform.
- Recent May local election gains for Reform and strong Green results in Manchester change the region's political map and raise the risk that a split anti‑Reform vote could affect who wins under the supplementary voting system, which lets voters name a second preference.