A closer look at the candidatespublished at 13:10 BST

13:10 BST

Blonde-haired Sian Astley, wearing a white top, speaks to the cameraImage source, Reform UK

Sian Astley, Reform UK: Astley represents the Baguley ward on the Manchester City Council and said she had been a Labour voter in the past, adding that “the vice-like grip the party has held over Manchester has been evident for decades”.

A woman with grey bobbed hair and black glasses wearing a dark blazer. She is outdoors with greenery behind her and smiling.Image source, Green Party

Geraldine Coggins, Green Party: Coggins, a councillor for Trafford since 2018, is a published academic with a background in leadership, public finance and strategic decision-making. She has pledged to improve transport, housing and choose “people and planet over profits”.

Bev Craig has short red hair, and is wearing glasses and a white jacket over a black blouseImage source, Labour Party

Bev Craig, Labour: As well as leading Manchester City Council, Craig is the deputy mayor for economy, business and inclusive growth on the region’s combined authority. She said Greater Manchester changed her life, adding “I’ve spent my career trying to give something back”.

Phil Eckersley has greying blond hair and a beard. He is smiling while photographed wearing a blue t-shirt and a blue Conservative rosette.Image source, Trafford Conservatives

Phil Eckersley, Conservative: Eckersley currently represents Bowdon ward on Trafford Council, where he is his party’s deputy leader and shadow executive member for health and care.

Marcus Farmer has brown hair with grey temples and wears a blue anorak with orange lining and a grey scarf.

Marcus Farmer, Independent: Farmer is standing in his third Greater Manchester mayoral election.

The businessman came sixth out of nine candidates in 2021, receiving just under 1% of the vote with 6,448 votes.

A close up of Richard. He has curly brown hair and is wearing a pair of glasses, a check shirt, and is smiling.Image source, Liberal Democrats

Richard Kilpatrick, Liberal Democrats: Kilpatrick, a former teacher who has been a councillor in the Didsbury area since 2018, has pledged to “tackle the cost of living crisis, improve public services and deliver desperately needed housing for the region”.

Marlon West, who has grey hair and is wearing a navy blue suit over a white shirt and blue tie, smiles into the camera.Image source, Restore Britain

Marlon West, Restore Britain: A former mental health nurse, West became a prominent activist on the issue of child grooming gangs after his daughter, Scarlett, was targeted and raped, and the pair published a book on their experiences.