Counting is now underway for the Manchester Mayoral race - technically the biggest by-election by voter population in British history.

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Usually, it’s this kind of race which would have been followed avidly by Westminster and politicos across the country, with column inches, radio phone-ins and interviews dominated by the latest electoral test.

And just a few months ago, Labour top brass feared they could lose the seat to Reform, such was the close result in Gorton and Denton.

But Andy Burnham's big first test is now a foregone conclusion.

Bev Craig, the Labour candidate and Manchester Council leader, is expected to win comfortably.

Described as Burnham’s protege, Craig’s running on the business-as-usual ticket, continuing devolution, presiding over an economy which has been one of the fastest growing outside of London, and making transport and housing........

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