This Thursday is Polling Day for the 2026 Greater Manchester Mayoral By-election following Andy Burnham's departure to return to Westminster.

There are two votes, one column for your first preference and another for your second preference.

We will be broadcasting a special show on Tuesday introducing all the candidates. We asked all the candidates onto the show, some will give a 10 minute interview, others have left some audio to play, some have just declined or not responded to our messages. But we will tell you about them all. Listen this Tuesday from 8.00am, repeated 4.00pm.

Then on Friday 31st July we will be reporting live from the count and will give you the result as it is announced. Special reports on Lunchtime with Colin and throughout Friday Drivetime with Jake, plus a special results show from 7pm.

Polling stations are open from 7.00am until 10.00pm, you can only vote at your allocated polling station as stated on your polling card. You do not need to bring your polling card, but you must bring official photographic ID, such as a passport or driving licence, or you will be turned away.

The Candidates:

Sian Astley, Reform UK

Geraldine Coggins, Green Party

Bev Craig, Labour

Phil Eckersley, Conservative

Marcus Farmer, Independent

Richard Kilpatrick, Liberal Democrats

Marlon West, Restore Britain