Story perspectives

Labour's Bev Craig projected to win GM mayoral by-election

7/17/2026

Summary

Story summary

Labour candidate Bev Craig is projected to win Greater Manchester mayoral by-election on July 30, the first use of the supplementary vote system since 2022.
A YouGov poll of 2,200 voters gives Craig 38% first-preference.
Voters must register by midnight July 14, request postal ballots by 5 pm July 15 and show photo ID or a Voter Authority Certificate by 5 pm July 22.
First-round results eliminate the Greens’ Geraldine Coggins (17%) and all other minor candidates.

History

Historical Context

Following the Plant Commission’s 1993 recommendation, England adopted the supplementary-vote system for the 2000 mayoral reforms that elected Ken Livingstone in London. SV governed mayoral elections until 2022, when FPTP replaced it, but the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act, passed in April 2026, restored SV. Labour’s Bev Craig is contesting the Greater Manchester mayoral by-election, with YouGov giving her 38 % first-preference support.

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Story summary

Labour candidate Bev Craig is projected to win Greater Manchester mayoral by-election on July 30, the first use of the supplementary vote system since 2022.
A YouGov poll of 2,200 voters gives Craig 38% first-preference.
Voters must register by midnight July 14, request postal ballots by 5 pm July 15 and show photo ID or a Voter Authority Certificate by 5 pm July 22.
First-round results eliminate the Greens’ Geraldine Coggins (17%) and all other minor candidates.

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