Candidates revealed for Greater Manchester Mayor
Reform UK is the last of the major parties to put forward its contender to replace Andy Burnham: Sian Astley, a recently elected councillor for Baguley.
Joining Astley on the ballot are, in alphabetical order, the Green’s Geraldine Coggins, Labour’s Bev Craig, Conservative’s Phil Eckersley, Liberal Democrats’ Richard Kilpatrick, and Restore Britain’s Marlon West.
The Greater Manchester Mayoral Election will be held on 30 July.
Sian Astley – Reform UK
Astley is a renovation and interiors specialist and the founder of Moregeous Design. She is also a TV presenter and events host.
She won her seat on Manchester City Council after securing 1,329 votes – 400 more than her closet rival, incumbent and Labour politician Paul Andrews. She is a member of the city council’s planning committee.
She has said that if elected she will look into deals done during Burnham’s tenure.
“One of my first acts as Mayor will be to open up the books on contracts Andy Burnham awarded during his time as Labour’s Mayor, at least one of which was to a company which made substantial donations to his Mayoral campaign.”
Astley is likely referring to the award of at least £338,400 in publicity contracts to EY3 Media, which donated £45,000 in the form of promotional videos to Burnham’s 2021 and 2024 mayoral runs, according to The Times. The GMCA has said Burnham was not involved in deciding those contract awards, which had gone through a procurement process.
Geraldine Coggins is the Green Party candidate. Credit: The Green Party
Geraldine Coggins – Green
Coggins is a councillor for Altrincham and a member of Trafford Council’s investment management board.
She is a former academic with a passion for philosophy.
Coggins has positioned herself as the only true answer to the rise of Reform.
“People are feeling abandoned by Labour and want real change to deliver affordable homes, thriving local communities, and a healthier environment,” she said.
“They are tired of being told to settle for less. This campaign will offer a positive vision for the future of Greater Manchester and show that Green leadership can deliver real change.”
Bev Craig is the Labour candidate. Credit: via RDPR
Bev Craig – Labour
The most senior politician of those running for the post, Craig is the Leader of Manchester City Council. She is also the lead for the economy, business, and inclusive growth at the combined authority.
In addition to politics, she has also worked for a national trade union and in higher education.
Craig has said that as mayor she will create a “High Streets Fund” and more council homes.
“As mayor I will apply a simple test: will it make life better?” she said. “That’s why I’m standing to be mayor – to build a Greater Manchester that works for everyone.”
Phil Eckersley is the Conservative Party candidate for Greater Manchester Mayor. Credit: via Conservative Party
Phil Eckersley – Conservative
Eckersley is the councillor for Bowdon and the shadow executive member for health and care for Trafford Council. He has a seat on the planning committee.
He is the founder of Bridgewater Home Care in Wigan.
He pledged to devote more attention to the towns and communities outside of Manchester city centre.
“Greater Manchester is my home, and it’s a region with enormous potential, but too often decisions are made with a focus on Manchester city centre – with the outer boroughs getting left behind,” he said.
He added: “The Conservative Party has a clear vision for Greater Manchester – safer streets, better transport, thriving local businesses, responsible development and value for taxpayers’ money.”
Richard Kilpatrick is the Liberal Democrats candidate. Credit: via the Liberal Democrats
Richard Kilpatrick – Liberal Democrat
Kilpatrick is a former teacher and current councillor for Didsbury West. He is a member of the city council’s planning committee.
Kilpatrick is a passionate advocate for investment in social care and of closer ties between the UK and EU.
Regarding his campaign, Kilpatrick said: “Our region has so much potential but voters have been let down by Labour’s complacency, whilst all Reform offer is division.
“In this election we have a real opportunity to champion the issues that matter most to people, from making transport more affordable, investing in social care and restoring neighbourhood policing to truly make people in our community feel safe.”
Marlon West – Restore Britain
West is a former mental health nurse and current campaigner against child sexual exploitation.
In announcing West’s candidacy on X, Restore Britain leader Rupert Lowe MP, said that West “would push to attract genuine business investment, cut wasteful public spending including on the GMCA’s own bloated administration, protect greenfield land from developers, and overhaul a transport network that has failed commuters for years.”
