Story perspectives

Labour's Manchester Mayoral Lead Narrows; Vote Restored

6/25/2026

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Summary

Story summary

FocalData poll of 1,143 adults (22 May-5 June) shows Labour’s lead in Greater Manchester mayoral race narrowed to three points ahead of Reform UK, with Labour at 33.2 % and Reform UK at 30.1 %.
Labour chose council leader Bev Craig as mayoral candidate, with Greens selecting Geraldine Coggins and Restore Britain selecting Marlon West.
Authorities reinstated the Supplementary Vote for the 30 July mayoral by-election, change Reform UK called a “blatant and cynical” gerrymander.

History

Historical Context

After the Labour-led Plant Commission recommended the supplementary vote in 1993, England adopted it for the first directly elected mayors in 2000, enabling Ken Livingstone’s 55% win with 1.5 million votes. The system was abolished in 2022, but the 2025 English Devolution Bill proposes its return; consequently, Greater Manchester’s 30 July 2024 mayoral by-election reinstates SV, pitting Labour’s Bev Craig against Reform UK.

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Story summary

FocalData poll of 1,143 adults (22 May-5 June) shows Labour’s lead in Greater Manchester mayoral race narrowed to three points ahead of Reform UK, with Labour at 33.2 % and Reform UK at 30.1 %.
Labour chose council leader Bev Craig as mayoral candidate, with Greens selecting Geraldine Coggins and Restore Britain selecting Marlon West.
Authorities reinstated the Supplementary Vote for the 30 July mayoral by-election, change Reform UK called a “blatant and cynical” gerrymander.

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