[8] Mike Kane, a former Manchester councillor and the acting chief executive of Movement for Change, was confirmed as the Labour Party candidate, on 24 January.

[10] In a selection process described as "quick-fire",[11] London interviews on 22 January[12] produced a short list of five local councillors and ex-councillors: Rosa Battle and Suzannah Reeves of Manchester City Council, Catherine Hynes and Sophie Taylor of Trafford Borough, and Mike Kane.

[16] O'Sullivan had been a candidate in Salford local elections[17] and stood for the BNP at the 2012 Manchester Central by-election, where his party's share of the vote was reduced.

[18] The UK Independence Party selected John Bickley, 60, a former Labour supporter[19] who grew up in Wythenshawe.

[22] The Official Monster Raving Loony Party put forward Captain Chaplington-Smythe as its candidate on 25 January 2014.