VOTES were being counted to find Andy Burnham’s replacement as Greater Manchester mayor today following the largest by-election in British history.

A run-off between Labour’s Bev Craig and Reform’s Sian Astley was being counted (through second preferences) after they topped the poll.

More than two million people were eligible to vote in the contest, triggered by Mr Burnham’s election to Parliament last month.

But the turnout was low at 25.14 per cent, with 538,659 residents voting, Greater Manchester Elects said. When Mr Burnham was re-elected in May 2024, it was 32.05 per cent.

The results were expected after the Morning Star went to print, but exit polls showed Labour candidate Bev Craig leading with 41 per cent of the vote, rising to 64 per cent in the second round.

The by-election operated under the “supplementary vote” system used in the Greater Manchester mayoral elections in 2017 and 2021, where if no candidate wins more than 50 per cent of first-choice votes all but the top two are eliminated, then second-choice votes are added.

Ahead of the results, Labour deputy leader Lucy Powell said her party had run “a really positive campaign” and been “on the front foot, setting out our stall, showing what Labour in power can do.

“If the voters of Greater Manchester put their trust in Labour, we will all work tirelessly to put Bev’s promises into action.”

But Green Party candidate Geraldine Coggins said her party had seen “former Labour voters move to the Greens in droves” and shown it could challenge the larger parties.

She said: “A new Prime Minister who is popular in this region meant we were contesting this election in unusual circumstances.

“However, we found real discontent across Greater Manchester with how Labour have been running this place and the people want a change of direction.

“This includes clear commitments on rent controls, affordable housing and to make sure people are put before profit.”

It is the first time a by-election has been necessary to fill a vacancy for one of England’s combined authority mayors.

The cost is expected to run into the millions, with the 2024 mayoral election costing £4.7 million.

That contest saw Mr Burnham re-elected with 63 per cent of the vote under first past the post.