(Watch) Burnham is Labour's man for Mayor of Greater Manchester
Labour has nominated Andy Burnham to stand in the mayoral election for Greater Manchester
Andy Burnham has won the battle to be Labour candidate for the mayor of Greater Manchester.
The shadow home secretary and Leigh MP said it was a great honour'' and told the Government he would ensure it follows through on its promise of anorthern powerhouse'' if he wins the 2017 election.
He beat interim mayor Tony Lloyd and former minister Ivan Lewis to secure the nomination.
Mr Burnham won the contest among party members with 3,792 votes to Mr Lloyd's 2,163 and Mr Lewis's 1,472, on a turnout of 65.3%.
To be selected as Labour's candidate for the first elected mayor of Greater Manchester is a great honour and I thank our members for the faith they have shown in me,'' he said.
I will repay it by devoting all my energy to uniting the Labour family here, working to win back the voters we have lost and building a policy programme with broad appeal. I will bring forward real answers to our housing crisis and give new hope to our young people.
Today, I have a clear message for the Prime Minister - you and your party were elected on a series of promises to the North of England and I will not let you walk away from them.
You promised us a powerhouse and now you must give us the tools and investment to build it.''
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said: Congratulations to Andy Burnham on being selected as Labour's candidate for Greater Manchester metro mayor.
This will be an opportunity for Labour to take its message for social justice to the region's two million voters in next year's election.
It's crucial that we have a mayor willing to do everything possible to improve the lives of everyone in Greater Manchester and in Andy we have that candidate.''
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