Bev Craig has been elected Mayor of Greater Manchester, succeeding Andy Burnham and securing one of the most significant regional mandates in British politics outside Westminster.
The contest was triggered after Mr Burnham was elected MP for Makerfield and appointed Prime Minister, leaving the mayoralty vacant across ten boroughs and 27 parliamentary constituencies. Labour described the race as the largest individual by-election the party has faced at local level.
Ms Craig, the Leader of Manchester City Council, put forward a plan focused on cheaper transport, more affordable homes and safer neighbourhoods. After no candidate secured more than half of first-preference votes under the Supplementary Vote system, the election went to a second round between Ms Craig and Reform UK candidate Sian Astley.
Ms Craig won with a combined total of 309,525 first and second-preference votes, against 157,178 for Ms Astley — a margin of around two to one in the final run-off. In the first round, Ms Craig took 47.15% of the vote and topped the poll in all ten Greater Manchester local authority areas.
The result was declared late on polling day, more than 24 hours after voters went to the ballot box, following an intensive count across the combined authority. Turnout was reported at around 25%, among the lowest for a mayoral contest in the region, but the outcome remained comfortable for Labour.
The by-election marked the first electoral test of Andy Burnham’s premiership and was closely watched as a measure of Labour’s strength in its northern heartlands against a resurgent Reform UK.
Throughout the campaign, Labour mobilised volunteers and organisers at significant scale. Party figures said thousands of activists took part, more than 10,000 contacts were made with high-priority voters on polling day, digital campaigning reached more than 2.5 million people, and more than a thousand social media posts were published, including hundreds shared in local community groups.
Ms Craig now inherits one of the most powerful devolved roles in England, with responsibility for transport, housing, policing and economic development across Greater Manchester. In her acceptance speech, she said every decision she took as mayor would be about making life better for the region’s residents.
Labour figures hailed the result as proof that the party can win demanding contests when it combines a clear local offer with strong grassroots organisation. Attention now turns to Ms Craig’s programme for the combined authority and her working relationship with Mr Burnham’s government at Westminster.
Labour Home will continue to follow developments in Greater Manchester as the new mayor begins her term.
