Is Andy Burnham Still Mayor of Manchester?
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Olivia
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No, Andy Burnham is no longer the Mayor of Greater Manchester. He left the position on 19 June 2026 after being elected as the Labour MP for Makerfield. He subsequently became Labour leader on 17 July and Prime Minister of the United Kingdom on 20 July 2026.
The substantive Greater Manchester mayoral position remains vacant as of 28 July 2026, with a mayoral by-election scheduled for Thursday 30 July 2026. The statutory deputy mayor has been responsible for the acting arrangements until the public elects a permanent replacement.
Is Andy Burnham Still Mayor of Manchester In 2026?
Andy Burnham is not still the mayor of Manchester in 2026. More precisely, the political office he previously held was the Mayor of Greater Manchester, rather than Mayor of Manchester.
The Greater Manchester Combined Authority confirms that Burnham is no longer the regional mayor and that an election is being held on 30 July 2026 to choose his successor.
Andy Burnham’s Current Positions
| Position | Current status |
| Mayor of Greater Manchester | No longer in office |
| MP for Makerfield | In office since June 2026 |
| Leader of the Labour Party | In office since 17 July 2026 |
| Prime Minister of the United Kingdom | In office since 20 July 2026 |
The official UK Parliament profile for Andy Burnham records him as the Labour and Co-operative MP for Makerfield and as Prime Minister and First Lord of the Treasury. His GOV.UK ministerial profile also confirms that he became Prime Minister on 20 July 2026.
Londoner status checker
Andy Burnham’s Current Office Status
Check the confirmed position, why the Greater Manchester mayoralty became vacant and which political role Andy Burnham now holds.
The regional mayoral office became vacant on 19 June 2026.
He was elected at the Makerfield by-election on 18 June 2026.
Parliament records the appointment as beginning on 20 July 2026.
Greater Manchester voters are due to elect a permanent successor.
Andy Burnham is no longer Mayor of Greater Manchester
His mayoral tenure ended when the office became vacant on 19 June 2026, following his election as the Member of Parliament for Makerfield.
19 June 2026
Mayor of Greater Manchester, not Mayor of Manchester
Status checked on 28 July 2026. Political offices can change, so the linked official records should be reviewed when the page is updated.
When Did Andy Burnham Stop Being Mayor?
Andy Burnham ceased to be Mayor of Greater Manchester on Friday 19 June 2026.
A parliamentary by-election had been held in Makerfield on Thursday 18 June. Burnham won the seat with 24,927 votes, giving him a majority of 9,231 over the Reform UK candidate. The vacancy in the mayoral office was formally recorded the following day.
His departure brought an approximately nine-year mayoral period to an end:
- He was first elected in May 2017.
- He was re-elected in May 2021.
- He won a third term in May 2024.
- He left the office in June 2026 after entering Parliament.
The official GOV.UK biography confirms his three Greater Manchester election victories in 2017, 2021 and 2024.
Londoner interactive timeline
Andy Burnham’s Political Timeline
Select a date to follow his progression from Greater Manchester’s first directly elected mayor to his return to Parliament and national government.
Choose a milestone to see what happened, why it mattered and how it affected Burnham’s public role.
Elected as Greater Manchester’s first mayor
Andy Burnham won the first election for the new directly elected Mayor of Greater Manchester, establishing the regional office he would hold for approximately nine years.
Mayor of Greater Manchester
It created a single directly elected political figure for the ten-authority city region.
Burnham entered office.
Confirmed through official GMCA records.
Official source: Greater Manchester Combined Authority’s history of the regional mayoralty.
Burnham won Greater Manchester elections in 2017, 2021 and 2024.
The vacancy followed his election as the MP for Makerfield.
The scheduled by-election will choose a permanent successor.
Timeline checked on 28 July 2026. The 30 July 2026 milestone is a scheduled election, not a completed result. Update that item after the official result is declared.
Why Could Andy Burnham Not Remain Mayor And Become An MP?
Burnham did not simply choose to combine the two positions. He became legally disqualified from continuing as mayor after being elected to the House of Commons.
The Mayor of Greater Manchester holds the powers of the region’s Police and Crime Commissioner. Under the relevant legislation, a mayor exercising those policing powers cannot simultaneously serve as an MP.
The House of Commons Library’s explanation of the legal position stated that Burnham could stand as a parliamentary candidate while serving as mayor. However, winning the Makerfield seat meant that he was automatically disqualified from the mayoralty when he became an MP.
The GMCA announcement of the vacancy similarly explains that the regional mayor also exercises Police and Crime Commissioner functions and that Burnham could no longer hold the office after his election to Parliament.
Who Is Mayor Of Greater Manchester Now?
As of 28 July 2026, Greater Manchester has not yet elected Burnham’s permanent successor.
The statutory arrangements require the deputy mayor to carry out the acting mayoral responsibilities between the office becoming vacant and the election of a new mayor. The House of Commons Library identified Paul Dennett, the City Mayor of Salford and Deputy Mayor of Greater Manchester, as the statutory deputy responsible for that interim role.
However, Paul Dennett should not be confused with a newly elected permanent mayor. The public vote to fill the vacancy is taking place on 30 July 2026, and the successful candidate will become the next elected Mayor of Greater Manchester.
Why Is There A Greater Manchester Mayoral By-Election?
Greater Manchester mayoral elections normally take place every four years. Burnham had been elected for a third term in May 2024, which would ordinarily have continued until 2028.
His election as an MP created an unexpected vacancy before that term had been completed. The law therefore required a by-election to be organised within the applicable statutory timetable.
The official Manchester City Council election information confirms that the Greater Manchester Combined Authority mayoral by-election will take place on Thursday 30 July 2026.
The election covers all ten Greater Manchester boroughs:
Bolton, Bury, Manchester, Oldham, Rochdale, Salford, Stockport, Tameside, Trafford and Wigan.
What Is The Difference Between The Mayor Of Manchester And The Mayor Of Greater Manchester?
The commonly used phrase “Mayor of Manchester” can be misleading because Manchester has several distinct civic and political positions.
Mayor Of Greater Manchester
This is the directly elected regional office previously held by Andy Burnham. It covers the whole Greater Manchester city region rather than Manchester city alone.
The mayor has strategic responsibilities affecting areas such as:
- Public transport and transport infrastructure
- Planning, housing and regeneration
- Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service
- Policing and crime
- Economic development and skills
The mayor also acts as the Police and Crime Commissioner for Greater Manchester, including setting policing priorities and holding Greater Manchester Police to account.
Leader Of Manchester City Council
Manchester City Council has its own political leader and cabinet. They make decisions about council services and policies within the boundaries of the City of Manchester rather than across all ten Greater Manchester boroughs.
Lord Mayor Of Manchester
The Lord Mayor is a separate civic and ceremonial position. The Lord Mayor chairs full council meetings and represents the city at civic occasions but does not exercise the regional executive powers previously held by Burnham.
What Is Andy Burnham Doing Now?
Andy Burnham is now serving in national government.
After returning to Parliament as MP for Makerfield in June 2026, he became Leader of the Labour Party on 17 July. He was appointed Prime Minister and First Lord of the Treasury on 20 July 2026.
Although his political career remains closely associated with Manchester, his legal authority now comes from his positions as Prime Minister and MP, not from the Greater Manchester mayoralty.
Policies and public statements connected with transport, housing, policing or Greater Manchester’s regional budget will therefore come from the acting arrangements and, following the 30 July election, the newly elected regional mayor.
The Final Answer
Andy Burnham is no longer Mayor of Greater Manchester. His mayoral tenure ended on 19 June 2026 when his election as MP for Makerfield made him legally ineligible to continue holding the regional office.
He is now the Labour MP for Makerfield, Leader of the Labour Party and Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. Greater Manchester voters are due to elect his permanent mayoral successor on 30 July 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Andy Burnham still Mayor of Greater Manchester?
No. Andy Burnham stopped being Mayor of Greater Manchester on 19 June 2026 after being elected as the MP for Makerfield.
Did Andy Burnham resign as mayor?
His departure resulted from legal disqualification after he became an MP. Because the Greater Manchester mayor also holds Police and Crime Commissioner powers, the two positions could not be held simultaneously.
Is Andy Burnham now Prime Minister?
Yes. Andy Burnham became Prime Minister of the United Kingdom on 20 July 2026.
Who replaced Andy Burnham as mayor?
No permanent replacement had been elected as of 28 July 2026. Deputy Mayor Paul Dennett has been responsible for the statutory acting arrangements, while the mayoral by-election is scheduled for 30 July 2026.
Was Andy Burnham Mayor of Manchester or Greater Manchester?
His formal position was Mayor of Greater Manchester. The role covers the ten local authority areas forming the Greater Manchester city region.
When will Greater Manchester get a new mayor?
Voters will elect a new Mayor of Greater Manchester on Thursday 30 July 2026. The result will determine who permanently succeeds Andy Burnham.
About the Journalist
Olivia covers London life, culture and lifestyle for Londoner. Her work includes food, shopping, neighbourhood trends, attractions, local experiences and practical guides for residents and visitors. She focuses on engaging stories that reflect everyday life across the capital.
