Labour's Bev Craig elected mayor of Greater Manchester, replacing Andy Burnham
Labour candidate Bev Craig wins the Greater Manchester mayoral by-election, succeeding Andy Burnham.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- Bev Craig wins the Greater Manchester mayoral by-election
- She defeated Reform UK's Sian Astley after second-preference votes were counted
- The election followed Andy Burnham's move to parliament and subsequent prime ministership
- Craig previously served as Manchester City Council leader and deputy mayor
After no candidate secured an outright majority in the first round of voting, Labour's Bev Craig triumphed over Reform UK's Sian Astley by 309,525 to 157,178 votes once second-preference ballots were factored into the count.
This mayoral by-election was triggered after Andy Burnham was elected as the MP for Makerfield in Greater Manchester back in June, which ultimately paved the way for him to become prime minister last month.
Alongside leading Manchester City Council since 2021, Craig has also worked as the deputy mayor for economy, business and inclusive growth at the Greater Manchester Combined Authority. During the initial round, Craig secured 47% of the vote compared to Astley's 21%, bringing unallocated second-preference votes into play to further widen her lead.
"set myself a simple task... That every single decision I take, as your Mayor of Greater Manchester, will pass the test of making your life better."
Bev Craig
More than two million individuals across the 10 boroughs of Greater Manchester were eligible to participate, though voter turnout remained just under 25%. Vote analysis confirmed that Craig claimed the top spot in the first round across all 10 local authority districts making up the region.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
Regional by-elections in the UK often reflect shifts in national political momentum while directly impacting local governance and community development. Leaders with established backgrounds in municipal councils and regional economic portfolios typically bring continuity to local infrastructure projects and social policies, though boosting voter turnout remains a persistent challenge for regional administrations.
Labour's deputy leader and MP for Manchester Central, Lucy Powell, offered her congratulations via X, posting a message praising the new mayor and thanking the tireless activists who contributed to the electoral victory.
Source: BBC Politics
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