Shadow Home Secretary – and Leigh MP – Andy Burnham has won the Labour Party nomination to contest next May’s election to become Mayor of Greater Manchester.
Mr Burnham, who lost out on the Labour leadership last year, beat off competition from fellow Greater Manchester MP Ivan Lewis, who represents Bury South, and interim Mayor of Greater Manchester Tony Lloyd, himself a former MP.
The Liverpool-born politician, who has been Leigh MP since 2001, won 51% of the vote of Labour members.
Mr Lloyd won 29% and Mr Lewis took 20% of the vote.
The elected mayor will give the city more control over its own destiny, with more power particularly on policies relating to housing, transport and social care, among others.
The position will also combine that of the police and crime commissioner, a position Mr Lloyd has held since November 2012.
Mr Burnham has said he will stand down from Parliament should he be successful in next May’s election.
The election for the Mayor of Greater Manchester is to take place at the same time as scheduled local council elections across the region.
