Voters right across Greater Manchester will head to the polls on Thursday 6th May.
In what is being dubbed by some as the largest and most complex set of elections ever set to take place across the UK following more than a year of suspension due to the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, those heading to their local polling station will not only vote 2021’s elections, but also 2020 too.
Voters across the North West will this year be choosing from hundreds of local councillors, Police & Crime Commissioners, and a number of different types of Mayors.
While this is not the case within Greater Manchester, in some areas of the North West region, voters could be faced with up to seven different ballots papers on election day, with additional elections also taking place for parish councils or local planning referendums too.
So, what are we voting on in Greater Manchester this year?
ADVERTISEMENT
Greater Manchester Combined Authority Mayoral Election – This role includes Police and Crime Commissioner for Greater Manchester Police.
Local Council elections – 34 local councillors to be elected in Manchester, and there are also two councillor vacancies, one in the Brooklands ward and one in the Openshaw ward of the City of Manchester.
The Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) is a legal body which allows the Greater Manchester councils to formally cooperate with each other and partners on large-scale strategic projects that are of importance to the whole region, like transport, regeneration and skills, fire, policing, business and low carbon initiatives.
The Mayor of Greater Manchester is a major figure in the political life of the region, and is entrusted with unique powers and responsibilities.
ADVERTISEMENT
Polling stations will be open between 7am to 10pm.
Although the polls will be open as normal on Thursday 6th May, it is expected that more people will apply for postal votes this year, and it has also been confirmed that a number of necessary COVID-safety measures will be put in place at polling stations on the day.
Candidates will also need to maintain social distancing during the election campaign.
ADVERTISEMENT
At polling stations, voters will need to wear face coverings – unless medically exempt – and social distancing measures will be widely enforced, along with hand sanitising stations.
It is also advised that voters bring their own pens or pencils to mark ballot papers.
Due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, there will be emergency measures for people who have tested positive prior, or who have been forced to self-isolate.
Under this circumstance, an emergency proxy can be appointed up to 5pm on polling day.
Although the checking or verification of the votes will begin immediately after polling stations close at 10pm on Thursday 6th May, it is expected that it will take several days before all the results are known.
ADVERTISEMENT
You can find more information via the GM Elects website here.
Peter Kay’s gigs at Co-op Live have been postponed as the arena admits it’s not ready for opening act
Danny Jones
Just a day before the venue was set to welcome its very first act, Co-op Live has announced that arena opener Peter Kay’s gigs have unfortunately been cancelledand postponed until later this month.
Both of Peter Kay‘s highly-anticipated shows have ultimately had to be called off after Co-op Live revealed that the brand-new entertainment venue is simply not ready to welcome guests just yet, with work still to be completed on key areas of the building, namely power supply issues.
Issuing a regretful statement on social media, the arena has confirmed that the shows will now be rescheduled to Monday and Tuesday, 29-30 April.
Addressing the situation online, Co-op Live said: “Following our first test event on Saturday, regretfully we have made the difficult decision to reschedule our two opening performances by Peter Kay…
“It is critical to ensure we have a consistent total power supply to our fully electric sustainable venue, the completion of which is a few days behind. Rescheduling gives us the extra time we need to continue testing thoroughly.
“This is vital to satisfy the rigorous set of guidelines and protocols that are necessary for a venue of this size. Peter Kay has very graciously agreed to perform his record-breaking comedy at Co-op Live on 29 (rescheduled from 23) and 30 (rescheduled from 24) April 2024.
“All tickets remain valid and ticket holders will be contacted by their point of purchase. Refunds will be available for those who can no longer attend. We are very sorry for the inconvenience that this change will undoubtedly cause for some.” Safe to say many of those looking forward to the show have been left frustrated.
Speaking to The Manc, a Stockport gig-goer who had tickets said they had to find out via social media and that her group had still received no email notifying them about the cancellation, adding, “We just logged into the app to find the date on our tickets had been changed to next Monday”.
As for the beloved Bolton-born stand-up and British comedy legend himself, Kay added: “I’m truly gutted as I know how disappointing this will be for everyone with tickets, but obviously it’s a brand-new venue and it’s important that everything is finished and safe for full capacity audiences.
“Fortunately, we’ve been able to reschedule the shows to next week, (I’ll have to miss my Bums & Tums class) but hopefully I’ll see you then.”
The venue also went on to assure that they will still be hosting The Black Keys on 27 April in the lower bowl with 10k fans as planned and will continue to test the resilience of the venue and its operations for the time being.
They also reminded fans who previously missed out on tickets that due to dates being moved, tickets may now become available.
‘Not just for mums’ – Iceland drops iconic slogan after more than 50 years
Emily Sergeant
Iceland has dropped its iconic slogan after more than 50 years, and has finally admitted that it’s “not just for mums”.
We all know that “that’s why mums go to Iceland” is one of the most famous slogans in British retail history… but, as of last week, more than 50 years since it was first uttered on TV, Iceland has decided to say farewell to the iconic phrase.
The headline-grabbing move is thought to be the supermarket‘s bid to become more inclusive, as it has cited the decades-old tagline as “outdated”.
Iceland’s first use of ‘mum’ in its’ marketing campaigns was all the way back in 1970 with the phrase “Mums love it”, before it was slightly changed to “Mum’s gone to Iceland” in 1988 ahead of its expansion into Europe in 1991.
Then finally, in 2004, the frozen food retailer introduced its now most-iconic strapline, “So that’s why mums go to Iceland”, to coincide with introducing celebrity pop star Kerry Katona as the new face of its TV advertisements.
But now, as part of its latest advertising campaign, the world ‘mum’ has been dropped once and for all in favour of the altered tagline “That’s why we go to Iceland.
Explaining its decision to part way with its use of ‘mums’, Iceland’s Executive Chairman Richard Walker commented: “Iceland’s always been number one with mums, but the reality is, people from all walks of life, and life stage, choose to shop with us. That includes everyone from students and seniors, to single-parent families, mums, dads, and fitness enthusiasts.
“We’re a Great British institution, and open to all.”
Alongside the new slogan, Iceland is continuing its tradition of appointing celebrity mums as the face of the company.
TV presenter Josie Gibson has landed the role of the supermarket’s new ambassador.
“With her famous warmth and positivity, Josie is the perfect person to encapsulate the friendly welcome all our customers receive at Iceland,” Mr Walker continued, adding that the retailer is “delighted to have her onboard”.