Other Parties — Potential Candidates

Greater Manchester Mayoral Candidates — Other Parties (Potential) 
 
 The next Greater Manchester mayoral election is due in May 2028. No candidates have been formally declared by any party as of May 2026. This file profiles likely candidates based on previous elections and current party positions. 
 
 Last updated: 25 May 2026 
 
 Conservative — Likely Candidate 
 No candidate announced. In the 2024 election, the Conservative candidate was Nick Buckley, a local businessman and former police officer. He came second with 18.6%. 
 Likely profile: A local councillor or business figure. Given the Tory collapse in GM (polling at 2% in Makerfield), the Conservative candidate is unlikely to be competitive. 
 
 Reform UK — Likely Candidate 
 No candidate announced. Reform UK did not stand in the 2024 mayoral election (their candidate, Dan Barker, got 2.4%). However, Reform's surge in GM — winning all 8 Makerfield-area council wards in the May 2026 locals — means they will almost certainly field a serious candidate in 2028. 
 Likely profile: Could be Robert Kenyon if he doesn't win Makerfield, or another local figure. Reform will see the mayoralty as their best chance of a breakthrough in the North West. 
 
 Green Party — Likely Candidate 
 No candidate announced. In 2024, the Green candidate was Hannah Spencer, a local activist. She came third with 8.4%. 
 Likely profile: A local Green councillor or activist. The Greens have been growing in Manchester (won Gorton & Denton by-election Feb 2026) and may target the mayoralty more seriously. 
 
 Liberal Democrats — Likely Candidate 
 No candidate announced. In 2024, the Lib Dem candidate was Jake Austin (now the Lib Dem candidate in Makerfield). He came fifth with 5.9%. 
 Likely profile: Another local councillor. The Lib Dems are a minor force in GM mayoral elections but consistently stand. 
 
 Twitter/X Discussion 
 Very little mayoral-specific candidate discussion given the election is 2 years away. Most discourse focuses on Burnham's leadership prospects and the Makerfield by-election. The main theme is: 
 
 "Labour's collapse in the May 2026 locals has Reform UK surging — they're the clear favourites to snatch the mayoralty in a by-election" — the risk if Burnham resigns 
 
 Reddit Discussion 
 The mayoral election is barely discussed on Reddit at this stage. When mentioned, it's in the context of Burnham's future — if he leaves the mayoralty, who replaces him, and could that trigger a Reform breakthrough in GM.