Bev Craig elected Greater Manchester mayor, succeeding Andy Burnham

Bev Craig was elected as the new Mayor of Greater Manchester, succeeding Andy Burnham, who transitioned to the role of Prime Minister earlier this month. The by-election, triggered by Burnham’s election as MP for Makerfield, concluded with Craig securing a decisive victory over Reform UK’s Sian Astley in a second round of voting under the supplementary vote system. With 309,525 votes — 66.3% of the total — Craig defeated Astley, who received 157,178 votes, or 33.7%. The result marked a historic shift in the region’s political landscape, with Craig becoming the first female and openly gay leader of Manchester City Council and the UK’s first female metro mayor.

Craig’s campaign emphasized unity and economic revitalization, drawing on her extensive experience in local governance. Born in Belfast, she moved to Manchester in 2003 to study politics and modern history, later rising through the ranks of local government. Since 2021, she has led Manchester City Council and served as deputy mayor for economy, business, and inclusive growth on the Greater Manchester Combined Authority. Her victory followed a first-round tally of 46.5% of votes, just shy of the 50% threshold required to win outright, with Astley securing 22.2%. Second-preference votes from other candidates tipped the balance in Craig’s favor.

The election saw a historic low turnout of 25.14%, with 538,659 votes cast out of an electorate of 2.1 million. Analysts attributed the apathy to summer holidays, student absences, and a lack of engagement with the mayoral role. Despite the low participation, the contest was the largest by-election in UK history, with seven candidates vying for the position. Reform UK, initially favored after strong local election performances, faced a setback as its candidate, Astley, trailed significantly. Meanwhile, the Green Party and Restore Britain also struggled, with the Greens failing to reach the second round and Restore’s Marlon West securing fourth place.

Craig’s victory was celebrated as a triumph for Labour, with party leaders praising her leadership. Deputy Labour leader Lucy Powell tweeted: “Huge congratulations to @bevcraig our fantastic new Mayor of Greater Manchester.” Craig, in her victory speech, pledged to “defend this city region with every bone in my body” and address systemic challenges, including housing and economic inequality. She highlighted her humble beginnings, recalling her arrival in Manchester with “no money, no friends, and no connections” and expressing gratitude to voters for placing “trust” in her. “I will fight for a better life for all of us,” she declared, vowing to move beyond “divisive politics” and foster collaboration.

The election also underscored the political legacy of Andy Burnham, whose tenure as mayor saw three consecutive wins with over 60% of the vote. His departure to Downing Street, following his elevation as Prime Minister, had raised concerns about Labour’s hold on Greater Manchester. However, Craig’s victory came amid a “Burnham bounce” in national polls, with the prime minister’s recent announcement allowing mayors to retain a share of local taxes. This policy, aimed at decentralizing power, granted Craig greater fiscal autonomy than her predecessor, a shift she welcomed as “fantastic” for regional development. “I want to be able to put that to good use,” she said, citing investments in education and youth support as priorities.

Reform UK’s performance marked its third consecutive disappointment in Greater Manchester this year, despite early bookmaker favorites status. Sian Astley, however, framed her result as a “congratulations” rather than a “commiserations,” noting her party’s momentum in other contests. Meanwhile, political analysts speculated that the rise of smaller parties like Restore Britain could challenge traditional blocs, though Craig’s landslide underscored Labour’s resilience. As she prepares to take office, Craig faces the task of uniting a diverse region while navigating the expanded powers granted by Burnham’s reforms, a test of her vision for a “Greater Manchester that works for all.”