Labour’s Bev Craig has been elected the new Mayor of Greater Manchester in what was described as the largest by-election in British history, succeeding Andy Burnham after defeating Reform UK’s Sian Astley in the second round of voting.
The result, announced late on Friday, was met with an immediate challenge from Mr Burnham, who is now Prime Minister. He told Ms Craig she was «the right person to lead this great city region forward into its best decade ever», and urged her to go further and do more in the job. He was among those celebrating with her as the result was confirmed.
Ms Craig promised to build on Mr Burnham’s legacy and to start the role without delay. Addressing a crowd of Labour activists after the result was confirmed, she said: «Come Monday morning, I’ll be at that desk, rising to the challenge, with even more power.» She had earlier told supporters that her priority was to «get stuff done».
The by-election followed Mr Burnham’s move to Downing Street, prompting an unusually high-profile contest for the Greater Manchester mayoralty. Under the voting system used, Ms Craig secured victory in the second round, with Reform UK’s Ms Astley finishing as runner-up.
Her win makes her one of the most powerful Labour women outside Westminster. The mayoralty commands a budget of around £3bn, placing Ms Craig at the centre of efforts to shape policy and public investment in one of England’s largest city regions.
Labour retains control of one of the country’s highest-profile regional positions, although Reform UK’s challenge took the contest beyond the first round. The Prime Minister’s own words hinted at the scale of the task ahead. «You are the right person to lead this great city region forward into its best decade ever, because that is what the next decade is going to be,» he told Ms Craig during the celebrations.
For her part, Ms Craig indicated she would not waste time settling into the role. Her pledge to be at her desk on Monday morning was taken by Labour figures as a sign that she intends to maintain the momentum built up during Mr Burnham’s time in office.
The scale of the by-election and the identity of the candidates underlined the growing importance of directly elected mayors in British politics. The new Greater Manchester mayor will now be expected to use her mandate to protect the region’s interests and to respond to the challenge set by the Prime Minister to go further and do more.
