Labour, Reform UK and Restore Britain are awaiting results as polls have closed in the race to replace Andy Burnham.
The contest to become the next Mayor of Greater Manchester was triggered after Mr Burnham was elected as Makerfield’s MP last month, bringing an end to his nine-year tenure.
Today, more than two million residents headed to the polls to cast their vote in this week’s by-election, the result of which is expected tomorrow afternoon.
Bev Craig, who is currently serving as Manchester City Council, has stood in Mr Burnham’s shoes as the party’s candidate to take over the major mayoralty.
As polls opened at 7am this morning, she vowed the area’s “best days are still ahead of us”.
Issuing a stern warning against the national rise of Reform UK, she added: “Only if we keep moving forward together, face up to our biggest challenges, and make life better for everyone.
“That’s why, today, I am asking for you to choose hope and vote Labour.”
Ms Craig is being challenged by Reform UK’s candidate, Sian Astley, who currently represents the Baguley ward on the council.
Andy Burnham cast his vote earlier today
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PA
The party described her as a “respected businesswoman”, having appeared on television and in print as property and renovation industry expert.
Before a career in politics, she featured on BBC One’s DIY SOS and the BBC Two series Your Home Made Perfect.
Ms Astley said: “I am delighted to be chosen as Reform UK’s candidate for Mayor Greater Manchester – I am determined to improve communities and the lives of working people.
“Over the years, we have all seen our towns and areas across Greater Manchester decline, with high streets left unattended, unfunded and unloved. They need to be placed front and centre again.
“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.”The candidate added: “Politics needs real people with real life experience. People like me.”Former mental health nurse Marlon West, the father of grooming gangs survivor Scarlett West, is running for Rupert Lowe’s Restore Britain.The Great Yarmouth MP said his candidate “knows the city and knows its people”, adding: “Greater Manchester deserves better leadership than it has had.””Marlon has already proved he fights for this city when it matters. Now he wants to run it.”MORE TO FOLLOW…