Labour Wins Greater Manchester Mayoral Byelection Decisively 2026

Labour has won a decisive victory in the Greater Manchester mayoral byelection, with Bev Craig securing 66.3% of the vote after second preferences were counted. This landslide win, announced at Co-op Live in Manchester, marks a significant boost for the new prime minister and signals a potential shift in UK political dynamics.

Key Results and Voting System

The byelection used the supplementary vote system, where voters rank candidates. In the first round, Labour's Bev Craig led with 47% of first-preference votes, followed by Reform UK at 21% and the Greens at 12%. Since no candidate exceeded 50%, second preferences were redistributed, boosting Labour to 66.3% and Reform UK to 33.7%.

Implications for UK Politics

This victory is a significant boost for the new prime minister, suggesting Labour can win back both left- and right-leaning voters who deserted the party under Keir Starmer. It also poses troubling questions for Nigel Farage, whose party has surrendered its year-long lead in national polls and faces a deepening crisis over funding scrutiny.

Reform UK's Decline

Just last month, a poll had Labour and Reform UK virtually neck and neck in the mayoral race. However, Farage's decision to stand down as an MP to fight a self-imposed parliamentary byelection in Clacton after funding questions scuppered the party's campaign. In May's local elections, Reform UK had won over 100 seats across Greater Manchester, including all but one in Wigan and 18 out of 19 in Tameside.

Bev Craig's Victory Speech

In her victory speech, Craig urged society to "move away from divisive politics that try to pit neighbour against neighbour." Her win is seen as a mandate for unity and a rejection of polarizing rhetoric. Labour sources confirmed the party won in every ward in boroughs including Bury and Tameside, and all but one in Trafford.

Key Takeaways

• Labour's Bev Craig wins Greater Manchester mayoralty with 66.3% of final vote.
• Reform UK's vote share collapsed to 33.7% after second preferences.
• The result boosts the new prime minister's authority and Labour's national standing.
• Reform UK faces internal crisis over funding and leadership decisions.
• Greens finished third with 12% of first preferences, showing limited growth.

FAQ

Best Products We’ve Tested and Rated

Our testing team has hands-on reviews of socks sensory issues adults, small grip pickleball paddles, skin care swimmers, shoes kettlebell training, and shoes blood circulation. Every option below was compared across price, build quality, and real-world performance, with honest pros and cons. We update these guides regularly as new models arrive, so the recommendations stay current.

Our testing team has hands-on reviews of shock wave therapy machine, sheets psoriasis, running shoes balls feet, sauna heater, and protein powder women pcos. Every option below was compared across price, build quality, and real-world performance, with honest pros and cons. We update these guides regularly as new models arrive, so the recommendations stay current.