After Burnham: What the Next Mayor Inherits

Whoever becomes the next Mayor of Greater Manchester will inherit one of the most powerful devolved political offices in England at a pivotal moment for both the city-region and national politics. Andy Burnham's departure after almost nine years in office marks the end of an era that saw the mayoralty evolve from a relatively new experiment in devolution into a position with significant influence over transport, policing, regeneration, housing and economic development.

Burnham's resignation to return to Westminster has inevitably altered the political landscape. During his time as mayor he became synonymous with Greater Manchester's devolution agenda, frequently acting as the public face of the region during negotiations with successive governments. Whether residents agreed with his policies or not, few would dispute that he raised the national profile of Greater Manchester and demonstrated how influential a metro mayor could become.

The incoming mayor therefore faces a different challenge from Burnham in 2017. Rather than creating the office's identity from scratch, the next incumbent must decide whether to build on Burnham's approach or chart a new direction. Expectations are considerably higher than they were nine years ago because the public now expects the mayor to deliver visible improvements rather than simply establish the role.

Transport remains the most obvious priority. The Bee Network has become one of the flagship achievements of Greater Manchester's devolution settlement, bringing buses back under public control and integrating services with trams and active travel. While supporters argue that the network is beginning to create a genuinely joined-up public transport system, critics continue to raise concerns about reliability, congestion, funding and the pace of implementation. The next mayor will inherit both the opportunities and the political scrutiny that accompany such an ambitious programme.

Policing is another area where expectations remain high. The Mayor of Greater Manchester also exercises the powers of the Police and Crime Commissioner, giving the office direct responsibility for setting policing priorities, overseeing budgets and holding Greater Manchester Police to account. Crime, antisocial behaviour and neighbourhood policing featured prominently throughout the by-election campaign, with candidates from across the political spectrum promising safer communities, stronger visible policing and better support for victims.

Housing and regeneration are likely to remain central themes throughout the next mayoral term. Greater Manchester continues to experience significant demand for affordable housing while balancing pressures for economic growth, environmental protection and infrastructure investment. Large regeneration schemes are transforming parts of Manchester city centre, Salford and several surrounding boroughs, but many communities continue to ask whether the benefits of that growth are being shared equally across the region.

For Rochdale, those questions are particularly important. Investment decisions made by the combined authority influence transport links, skills funding, brownfield regeneration, town centre renewal and wider economic development. Although individual councils retain many planning responsibilities, the mayor plays a significant strategic role in shaping investment priorities across Greater Manchester.

The constitutional picture is also changing. Devolution has steadily expanded over the past decade, with successive governments transferring additional responsibilities from Whitehall to regional authorities. Greater Manchester has often been used as the model for further devolution elsewhere in England, meaning decisions taken by its mayor frequently attract national attention. The incoming mayor is therefore likely to spend as much time negotiating with ministers as delivering local policy.

The by-election campaigns reflected differing views about how those powers should be exercised. Labour argued for continuity, seeking to build on existing transport and regeneration programmes. Reform UK focused on reducing public spending, increasing accountability and prioritising crime and community safety. Restore Britain centred its campaign on transparency, democratic reform and greater public involvement in local decision-making. The Conservatives promoted business growth and improved public services, while the Green Party emphasised sustainability and environmental investment. Liberal Democrats highlighted local accountability and public service reform. Although their policies differed considerably, almost every candidate accepted that the mayoralty has become one of the region's most influential political offices.

Another challenge awaiting the successful candidate is rebuilding public engagement. The record-low turnout has inevitably raised questions about democratic participation. While the mayor's powers have expanded significantly since 2017, public awareness has not always kept pace. Many residents still struggle to distinguish between the responsibilities of local councils, Parliament and the combined authority. Improving understanding of what the mayor actually does may become almost as important as delivering new policies.

Financial pressures will also shape the next administration. Like councils across England, Greater Manchester faces difficult decisions over public spending. Rising demand for public services, inflationary pressures and competing investment priorities mean every major project will come under close scrutiny. The next mayor will need to balance long-term ambitions with short-term financial realities while maintaining public confidence.

Perhaps the greatest test, however, will be leadership. Andy Burnham's tenure demonstrated that a metro mayor can become a nationally recognised political figure capable of influencing debates far beyond the boundaries of Greater Manchester. His successor now inherits not only extensive powers but also heightened expectations. Residents will judge the next mayor not simply by campaign promises but by whether transport improves, neighbourhoods feel safer, regeneration reaches towns beyond Manchester city centre and economic growth benefits communities across all ten boroughs.

The constitutional significance of this transition should not be underestimated. For the first time since the office was created, Greater Manchester is entering a post-Burnham era. Whether that represents continuity or a fresh chapter will depend not only on the election result but on how effectively the next mayor uses one of the most powerful devolved mandates in the country. The office has matured; now its next occupant must prove that devolution itself can continue to deliver meaningful change for the people it was designed to serve.