LABOUR seems on course to retain the Manchester mayoralty vacated last month by Prime Minister Andy Burnham as voting took place to choose his successor today.

Opinion surveys have placed Labour’s Bev Craig in the lead, benefitting both from a “Burnham bounce” in the national polls and Mr Burnham’s local legacy, which is generally viewed positively.

Ms Craig has served a leader of Manchester City Council, one of the 10 local authority areas within the Greater Manchester mayoralty.

It has been the biggest by-election in British history, with more than two million eligible voters.

Mr Burnham said that “after years working alongside Bev Craig, I have no doubt that she will work every single day to build on the progress we’ve all made together.

“Bev will focus on putting more money in your pocket, giving families more breathing space on the cost of living, and making sure young people across every borough have the opportunities they need to thrive.

“Bev will do this by working in lockstep with every community across our city region so we can shape our future together.”

Reform UK had nurtured hopes of a victory after it performed strongly in local elections in May. However, funding scandals have sapped support for the hard-right party.

The government has also shifted mayoral elections back to the supplementary vote system, which is less favourable for Reform than first past the post.

It will allow Labour, Green and Liberal Democrat voters to give a second vote to a party other than Reform, minimising its chances.

Second votes are counted if no candidate receives more than 50 per cent of first choices.

That Rupert Lowe’s even further-right Restore Britain is standing a candidate has been a further complication for Nigel Farage’s party.

The Greens’ Geraldine Coggins is expected to poll strongly in the central city, but is less well-placed in the post-industrial towns ringing the region.

However, Green leader Zack Polanski claimed his party could “pull off a shock” and top the poll.

He said: “Reform has barely turned up and Labour has acted like they have it in the bag.

“We can win this today and pull off a shock — if you want a fairer Greater Manchester not run for big money but for the people, you need to turn out and vote Green as your first preference.”

The result is expected to be announced this afternoon.