Craig elected Greater Manchester mayor, maintaining economic leadership
Labour's Bev Craig succeeds Prime Minister Andy Burnham, bringing her experience as the region's economy deputy to the top job.
Bev Craig has been elected Mayor of Greater Manchester, succeeding Andy Burnham after his move to become UK prime minister. Craig, the UK's first female metro mayor, beat Reform UK's Sian Astley by 309,525 votes to 157,178 after second-preference votes were added.
In the first round, Craig secured 46.5% of the vote compared with Astley's 22.2%. Because no candidate won an outright majority initially, second-preference ballots from eliminated candidates were redistributed, widening Craig's lead. Turnout was just under 25% of the more than two million eligible voters.
Craig takes the helm with direct oversight of the region's economic strategy. She has served as the Greater Manchester Combined Authority's deputy mayor for economy, business and inclusive growth since 2021, alongside leading Manchester City Council. Her election ensures the area's business and economic leadership remains in familiar hands during the transition following Burnham's departure.
Addressing voters after her victory, Craig focused on living standards and housing. "For too many people across our region, life is simply too hard," she said. "The generational belief that we had, that if you work hard and do the right thing, your life will be better and the life of the community will be better, is something that many people just don't feel at the minute."
She pledged to prioritise everyday security. "Everyone deserves a quality home in a good neighbourhood," she said, adding that residents must be able to "plan for their future and for that of their children."
Craig also signalled an intent to change the political climate. "We have to move away from divisive politics, and we'll do it together," she said.
Thanking the electorate, Craig said she would "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." She also thanked those who had "loaned their votes" as second preferences.
The by-election was triggered in June when Burnham won the parliamentary seat of Makerfield. Labour's deputy leader, Lucy Powell, marked the result on social media, thanking "tireless activists who have worked so hard to help deliver this win."
