The then MP for Leigh left parliament in 2017 to become the first elected mayor of Greater Manchester, winning with 63 per cent of the vote. National coverage often incorrectly refers to Burnham's previous role as mayor of Manchester, but there is a lot more to the Greater Manchester region than the city itself. People are no longer looking for an alternative to Labour; they're prepared to support Labour, for now at least, across Greater Manchester. It would be the first time, however, that an election for Greater Manchester mayor had gone to a second round. Craig has been leader of Manchester City Council since 2021, representing the Burnage ward, where you will find the childhood home of Oasis's Gallagher brothers.