Labour candidate Bev Craig wins Greater Manchester mayoral by-election

Labour candidate Bev Craig wins Greater Manchester mayoral by-election

Labour candidate Bev Craig has won the Greater Manchester mayoral by-election, securing the region's top job after a contest triggered by her predecessor's move to Westminster. Craig defeated Reform UK candidate Sian Astley following a count that stretched across Thursday and into the following days.

The election became necessary after Andy Burnham won the Makerfield by-election in June. Burnham subsequently became prime minister on 20 July, stepping down from the mayoral post because a mayor cannot be a serving MP at the same time. Writing on X, Burnham said he "couldn’t be happier" to see Craig named as his successor, praising her intelligence, compassion, and determination after years of working together.

In the first round of voting, Craig secured 47% of the vote, ahead of Astley at 21%. Because no candidate cleared the threshold to win more than half of the vote outright in the initial count, the contest went to a second round incorporating second-preference votes. Craig ultimately triumphed with 66% of the votes after second preferences were included, finishing with 309,525 votes compared to Astley's 157,178. The overall turnout for the by-election was 25%.

Amid cheers from Labour supporters gathered at Co-op Live, Craig delivered her winning speech. To have trust placed in you is an honour. I'm honoured. I'm humbled. And I stand ready to serve the 3 million people that live across this fantastic city region. And I will serve every single one of them, every single day, she said.

From Belfast council estate to Manchester leadership

Craig grew up on a council estate in Belfast before moving to Manchester in 2003 at the age of 18 to study politics and modern history at the University of Manchester. After graduating, she worked in local government, higher education, and a national trade union leading on social care. She entered elected office in 2011 as a councillor for the Burnage ward on Manchester City Council, serving for 15 years. Her tenure included holding the executive member role for adult social care and health during the Covid-19 pandemic, before becoming deputy council leader in 2021.

She ascended to the leadership of Manchester City Council when Sir Richard Leese stood down after 25 years in the role, making her the local authority's first female boss and its first openly gay leader. Her career also included serving as deputy mayor for economy, business, and inclusive growth on the Greater Manchester Combined Authority. In the New Year Honours List in 2025, she was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to local government.

Her local leadership oversaw sustained annual economic growth of more than 3% during the past decade, positioning Manchester as one of Europe's fastest-growing city economies. However, her administration also faced criticism over a lack of affordable housing amid a boom in city-centre skyscrapers, though the local authority did build social housing for the first time in 40 years during her tenure. Children's services in the city also achieved an "outstanding" rating from inspectors in November 2025 following a lengthy improvement process from earlier inadequate ratings. Persistent challenges included crime and anti-social behaviour around Piccadilly Gardens, where revitalization plans remain under way.

Campaign pledges and future governance

During her campaign, Craig promised to focus on local economic security, town-centre regeneration, and public transport reform. Her headline pledges included freezing Metrolink and bus fares on the Bee Network and extending free bus travel to 11 to 18-year-olds, expanding a scheme previously limited to 16 to 18-year-olds. She also pledged a new £20m high street scheme to support small businesses and revitalize empty units, alongside a commitment to deliver 50,000 new homes combining council properties and genuinely affordable housing over the next 15 years.

Because a mayor cannot be a serving councillor at the same time, a by-election will soon take place to fill Craig's former seat on Manchester City Council.